"And you are willing for me to go?"
"Not quite; I wish you wouldn't; only don't stay to take care of me."
Edward looked a good deal vexed and annoyed.
"Mrs. Perkins," he said, turning to her, "if Fred were here, would you object to his going?"
"No, not at all. I should leave him to follow his own inclination. But," as Edward turned triumphantly to Violet, "I am not meaning to encourage you to go, if your sister thinks your mother might object: all mothers do not see alike, you know."
"Well," he said, "I imagine I am as competent a judge of that as Violet is. I feel well-nigh certain that she would bid me go and enjoy myself. She's not one of the fussy kind of mothers who are afraid to let their children stir out of their sight."
"Then you will go?" said Mr. Tallis.
"Yes," Edward answered, resolutely avoiding Violet's pleading looks.
"I wish we could persuade your sister," Mr. Tallis said, turning to her. "Are you timid about venturing on the sea, Miss Travilla?"
"Not particularly," she said, coloring slightly.