“But there’s a condition,” put in Geraldine, gravely; “she isn’t to mention any teaching things like history or geography all the afternoon. She’s just to be an ordinary lady, not a teacher.” At which remark Miss Heath laughed more than ever, and Mr. and Mrs. Barlow also seemed much amused.
So, shortly after luncheon the party, consisting of Mr. Barlow, Miss Heath and the three children, started for Newport News. Mrs. Barlow had an engagement with friends at the hotel, but before they started she kissed both twins, and delivered quite a long lecture to them, on the subject of improving their opportunities.
“This visit to the navy yard is a great privilege for my little boy and girl,” she ended, “and I shall expect them both to appreciate it, and to remember all they see and hear. Mother will want to be told all about it this evening.”
Jerry looked rather bored, and Geraldine fidgeted impatiently from one foot to the other, but just then their father called them, and they were off like a shot, without even taking the time to answer.
“Your mother likes to hear about everything you do, doesn’t she?” remarked Gretel a little wistfully to Geraldine, as they were on their way to the trolley car. “My father was like that, too; I always told him about everything.”
“Mother doesn’t really care very much,” answered Geraldine, indifferently; “she gets most of those ideas out of books. She never used to bother so much; it’s only since she’s been going to those lectures. We like her much better this way, though. She used to be always worrying for fear we would take cold or eat something that would disagree with us.”
Gretel enjoyed the afternoon immensely. The ride in the car, which at times went almost as fast as an automobile; the visit to the navy yard, where they were allowed to go aboard a battle-ship; and the pleasant society of her companions. Before the excursion was over she had become quite attached to Jerry and Geraldine, and was sure Miss Heath must be one of the most delightful young ladies in the world. The twins were so fascinated with the battle-ship, that their father had some difficulty in tearing them away.
“I think to live on a boat must be the loveliest thing in the world,” declared Geraldine, when they were at last leaving the big ship.
“You will have a chance to try if we go abroad next year,” her father told her. But Geraldine did not look quite satisfied.
“Next year is such a long time off,” she objected, “and perhaps we won’t even go then.”