The principal gave some strong reasons why she and Lily had better remain at the mansion over night, and she finally consented to do so. Mrs. Dornwood and Marian, Dory's mother and sister, were called, and they soon made the visitors feel quite at home. Dory returned to the Goldwing, and was soon standing out of Beechwater.
In less than half an hour the schooner was at the point. Paul was greatly astonished, and not a little troubled, when he saw that his mother and sister were not on board of her. But the skipper soon explained their absence, and stated what was to be done with the permission of his uncle. Paul went to the cottage for a few articles which his mother had desired, in a note, while the skipper looked over the situation of the cottage again, and arranged his plans for action.
"We shall disappoint the Chesterfields once more, Paul," said Dory, when the son of toil joined him. "We have spoiled some of their little arrangements before."
"They will miss the fun the major has promised them, but I think he will feel the loss of it more than they will. Of course, all he wants is to punish us," replied Paul, with a cheerful smile.
"You can go over to Beech Hill with me if you like," continued Dory, when they reached the tender.
"I must stay here and watch the cottage. Some of the students might think it was fun to set it on fire to-night, though it would not make a very brilliant light in the moonshine," replied Paul.
"Do you expect any of the Chesterfields at the point to-night, Paul?" asked Dory with some anxiety, for their presence might interfere with his plan.
"No; I hardly expect any of them. I don't know that Major Billcord has told them about the fun in store for them yet, though he was so mad when he left the point that he could hardly keep it in," answered Paul.
"Well, if they come to-night, we can't help it," added Dory, as he stepped into the tender. "We shall be here all the same, and we shall do the work we have laid out."