“Well, go ahead and finish up your devotions; we’ll not disturb you,” said Frank, turning away and beginning to undress for bed.
The Howards followed his example, all three keeping very quiet while Max was on his knees.
They had all been brought up under religious influences, and while not controlled by them as Max was, yet felt constrained to respect his firm adherence to duty and the right.
CHAPTER II.
Captain Raymond had foreseen the probability that his son would be subjected to such an ordeal, and had tried—successfully as the event proved—to prepare him for it.
Max was busy with his preparations for bed on the previous night, when his door opened and his father came in.
“Well, my boy,” he said in his usual kind, fatherly tones, “I hope you have had a happy day and evening?”
“Yes, papa; oh yes, indeed! Never had a more splendid time in all my life!”
“In all your long life of thirteen years!” laughed the captain, seating himself and regarding his son with a proud, fond look.
“No, sir; and such splendid presents as you and the rest have given me! Why, I’d be the most ungrateful fellow in the world if I wasn’t as happy as a king!”