"We have given you a surprise, haven't we?" asked Mrs. Lilburn of her cousin Elsie.
"Yes; a most pleasant one," replied Mrs. Travilla. "I can truly say I think your presence here will double our enjoyment. How long since you arrived?"
"Only about twenty-four hours. We came straight from home, where we left all your dear ones well."
"Ah, that is good news! It is a new thing for me to be so far away from my dear father; and he is growing old; so I have been feeling a little anxious about him."
"He evidently misses you, but is glad that you are enjoying yourself," said Annis.
"Yes! so unselfish as he is—my dear father! Ah, how lovely it is here!" glancing about as she spoke. "No doubt we can pass some days or weeks here very delightfully."
"I am quite sure of it, mother," said the captain, who had overheard the remark, made as they all were on their way from the landing to the hotel. "We will have the yacht here in a day or two, I think; and it will afford us some pleasant trips here and there on the lake."
"And carry us to some historical scenes, won't it, papa?" asked Grace in a tone of satisfaction.
"Yes," he replied; "and we will live on it, unless the majority of our company should prefer the hotel."
"No danger of that, I think," said Grandma Elsie; "we all feel so much at home and find ourselves so comfortable on the yacht."