Then came a chorus of thanks for her invitation; all seeming much pleased with the idea.
"It will be quite a journey," remarked Lucilla, in a tone of satisfaction.
"You are not weary of life on shipboard, daughter?" her father queried, with a pleased little laugh.
"No, indeed, father; I am very fond of life on the 'Dolphin.' I suppose that's because of the sailor-blood in me inherited from you."
"Some of which I have also," said Grace; "for I dearly love a voyage in the 'Dolphin.'"
"Which some of the rest of us do without having the excuse of inherited sailor-blood," said Harold.
"No; that inheritance isn't at all necessary to the enjoyment of life on the 'Dolphin,'" remarked Chester.
"Indeed, it is not," said Evelyn. "I am a landsman's daughter, but life on this vessel with the dear friends always to be found on it is delightful to me."
"And the rest of us can give a like testimony," said Mrs. Lilburn, and those who had not already spoken gave a hearty assent.
"Up this South American coast, through the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico—it will be quite a voyage," remarked Lucilla, reflectively. "It is well, indeed, that we are all fond of life on the 'Dolphin.'"