"And I could wish you nothing better than that you may prove a son worthy of such a father," returned Captain Wade. "I have known him since he was a boy of your age, and never knew him to be guilty of a mean or dishonourable act."
"Thank you, sir," said Max, his cheeks flushing, and his eyes again seeking his father's face with a look of reverence and filial love; "it is very kind in you to tell me that, though it's no news to me that I'm so fortunate as to be the son of a man any boy might be proud to own as his father."
"Bravo, Max!" exclaimed Mr. Keith, with a pleased laugh. "I like to hear a boy talk in that way of his father, and certainly you have a good right to do so."
"No boy ever had a better right than Max has to speak well of his father," remarked Violet, lightly, but with an earnest undertone in her sweet voice, "and no one is more capable of judging of that than I, who have lived with them both for years."
"And no one could speak too well of Papa," said Lulu, with impulsive warmth, "for there couldn't be a better man than he is."
"I should be sorry to believe that, little daughter," he said, putting an arm round her as she stood close at his side. Then he changed the subject of conversation.
A few minutes later Captain Wade took leave, giving all a cordial invitation to return his call by a visit to the "Wanita."
"We had talked of giving you a call to-morrow," said Captain Raymond, "but that would be a very prompt return of your visit."
"None too prompt," returned Wade. "Our time here together, Raymond, is likely to be all too short, and we would better make the most of it."
"So I think," returned the person addressed; "and I hope we shall have the pleasure of seeing you here frequently."