“Ah, I wonder if Max and Gracie are of the same opinion.”
“Yes, indeed, papa!” they both replied.
“Then you didn’t greatly enjoy entertaining your young friends?” he said inquiringly.
“Oh, yes, sir! indeed, indeed we did!” exclaimed all three.
“How would you prefer to spend the rest of the evening?” he asked, and again there was a simultaneous answer, “Hearing you read some nice book, papa.”
“That is my choice also,” said Violet, coming in at that moment.
“A unanimous vote,” commented the captain, with a pleased smile, “that is far more comfortable than a difference of opinion, or rather, in the present case, of desire.”
He had always been a lover of choice literature and was anxious to make his children such, cultivating their minds as well as their hearts. He had already bought largely of standard works, history, poetry, biography, travels, etc., and of the best juveniles; such as can be read with interest by adults as well as the young; and many an evening had passed delightfully to himself and Violet as well as to the children in making acquaintance with their contents.
The captain was always the reader at these times, and would occasionally pause to give opportunity for a request for information or explanation, which he was fully capable of giving and always did give in the kindest and most painstaking manner.
“Well, children,” he said, as he laid aside the book, “your holidays are over, and we must begin lessons again on Monday morning. I shall expect to find you all in the school-room at precisely nine o’clock.”