“Well, what need I care for that?” returned the lad. “Papa won’t prize me any the less; and I’ve always coveted a brother.”
“But you’re so much older that he won’t be any company for you,” pursued Lulu, as if bent on making Max discontented and jealous.
“No,” sighed Max, putting on a long face, “I presume he’ll regard me as quite an old man when he’s old enough to think any thing about such matters. But I mean to be very good to the little chap, any way, and see that no big fellow imposes on him,” he added brightening.
“I trust you will be a father to him, Max, in case any thing happens to me,” said the captain with grave earnestness.
“Yes, sir; I’ll do the very best I can,” returned Max, catching his father’s tone.
How those two sentences came back to the boy an hour later, as if they had been prophetic.
The little girls, especially Lulu, had built great expectations upon this proposed visit to Ion: it was their old home, and a beautiful place.
Rosie was now disposed to be very kind; Evelyn was to be her guest also for the week. She had lately received a pony from her uncle and aunt, and would have it with her, riding it from Fairview. Lulu and Gracie were to have theirs with them, also; so that each of the four little girls would be provided with a steed of her own, and they had planned to take a number of pleasant rides with Max as their escort.
He would not be at Ion all the time, but proposed to have his pony carry him over every day that he might give the girls the benefit of his protecting care when needed. He felt himself almost a man in looking forward to taking so great a responsibility.
Immediately after family worship the captain said cheerily to the children: