“Perhaps it is just as well for my reputation for skill and prowess that they should not be tested too far,” he said.
“Max,” said Violet, “I like that speech of yours; and I believe if I were a boy with such a father as yours, I should feel just as you do about it.”
“What do you say to a holiday, children, in honor of your mamma’s coming down stairs?” asked the captain.
There was a unanimous vote in favor of the motion.
“Then so it shall be,” he said. “Ring for the servants, Max; it is time for family worship. After that we will send for the two babies to join us and see what a merry time we can have.”
Little Elsie had been an almost daily visitor to her father, but the new-comer only an occasional one. It was now some days since his last visit.
“Does he grow, Vi?” asked the captain while they were waiting for the coming of the nurses.
“Yes, indeed; and develops new beauties every day,” she answered gayly. “At least so his mother thinks. Ah, here they come, the darlings!”
“Papa, papa!” shouted little Elsie, eagerly reaching out her arms to her father. “Take her, papa.”
“Yes, bring her here,” he said.