"Indeed, sir; I should be only too glad to have you do so," she answered, in a sprightly tone; "but I doubt if Lu would be willing to share her choicest treasure—her father's love—with me."
"Why, yes, I should, Eva! because he wouldn't love me any the less for loving you also," said Lulu.
"Oh, then you may adopt me just as soon as you like, captain," laughed Evelyn.
"Now, I think I have a right to some say in this matter," said Violet, in a light, jesting tone. "I object to becoming mother to a girl of your age and attainments, but am perfectly willing to have you for a sister."
"Very well, my dear, that settles it," said the captain. "You and I, Eva, will consider ourselves brother and sister."
"Ah, I like that," said Grace; "though I am not sure that I shall consider Eva my aunt. Papa, are we going directly home now?"
"Do you not see that we are hurrying onward in that direction?" he asked in reply.
A sudden thought seemed to strike Grace. "Oh, is Max in Annapolis now?" she asked.
"Yes," her father answered, with a joyous smile, "and I want to see my boy so badly that I have decided to call there for a few hours before going home; unless some of you strongly object," he added, in a jesting tone.