"Yes," Mrs. Dinsmore said, "that is human nature."
The shoppers set out the next morning soon after breakfast, expecting to return about the usual dinner-hour.
Watching the departure from the window near which he was seated, the captain observed with pleasure that Violet was not of the party, hoping that if left behind, she would give him the enjoyment of her society during the absence of the others.
Presently she came in, bringing some needlework; Rosie and Walter with her.
The captain closed the book he had been reading and turned toward them with a pleased smile.
"So I am not to be left to solitude, as I feared," he remarked.
"You must please send us away, sir, whenever you think that preferable to our company," returned Violet lightly.
"Do you deem me capable of such rudeness, Miss Travilla?" he asked with playful look and tone.
"We will not consider it such," she answered, seating herself and beginning her work, "since we can wander at will all over the house, while, for the present, you, sir, are a prisoner confined to this room and the next."
"That reminds me," he said, "that of late you have absented yourself a great deal from this room; to my no small discontent."