"And I must go back to my baby," Violet remarked, as she rose and left the room along with the little girl.
"You may go to your room, Lulu," the captain said, in a quiet aside; "but you need not say good-night to me now: I shall step in to look at you before I go to mine."
"Yes, papa," she returned, with a glad look, and followed Grace's example.
"Max, what do you say to a promenade on the veranda with your father?"
Capt. Raymond asked, with a smiling glance at his son.
Max jumped up with alacrity. "That I'd like nothing better, sir," he said; and they went out together.
"You are pleased with your pony, Max?" the captain said inquiringly, striking a match and lighting a cigar as he spoke.
"Yes, indeed, papa!" was the enthusiastic reply. "I feel very rich owning him."
"And mean to be a kind master to him, I trust?"
"Yes, sir; oh, yes, indeed! I don't intend ever to speak a cross word to him, much less give him a blow."
"He has always been used to kind treatment, I was told, and has nothing vicious in his disposition," the captain continued, puffing at his cigar, and pacing the veranda with measured tread, Max keeping close at his side: "so I think he will always give you satisfaction, if you are gentle and kind, never ill-treating him in any way."