CHAPTER V.
Early the next morning our party landed at Newport, where they tooka carriage for their sea-side home. It was early when they arrived,but they found everybody up, and ready with a joyful welcome, in boththat house and the next two, occupied by the Dinsmores, Travillas, andLelands. The delight of all the Raymonds, from the Captain down to thebaby boy, was a pretty thing to see.
The occupants of the other cottages were present, and rejoiced withthem; and from one and all Cousin Donald received a very warm welcome.They were evidently much pleased to see him, and soon made him feelquite at home among them.
They all sat down to breakfast together, almost immediately upon thearrival of the travellers, and lingered over the table in pleasantchat, talking of what had occurred to one and another during theabsence of the Captain, Max, and Lulu, questioning Cousin Donald inregard to loved ones more nearly related to him than to themselves, andlaying plans for his and their own entertainment during his stay amongthem.
"I hope," remarked the Captain, "that some naval vessel will comewithin reach, so that we may have a chance to visit her in yourcompany, Donald."
"Thank you; I would greatly enjoy so doing," Donald answered. "Isuppose a visit from such a vessel is by no means rare in these partsat this time of year."
"No," the Captain replied, glancing through a window looking upon thesea, as he spoke. "Why, there is one in plain view at this moment!" hecried, starting to his feet.
They all hastily left the table and gathered upon a porch which gavethem a good view of the sea and the man-of-war, hardly a mile away.
"My spy-glass, Max, my son," the Captain said.
"Here, Papa," answered Max, putting it into his father's hand. "I knewit would be wanted."
"Good boy," returned the Captain. "Ah, yes," looking through the glass,"just as I thought. It is the 'Wanita,' Captain Wade, an old friend ofmine; we were boys together in the Naval Academy." His face shone withpleasure as he spoke. "We must visit her," he added, passing the glassto Donald.
Max and Lulu exchanged glances of delight,--Papa was so kind andindulgent they were almost sure he would take them along if he knewthey wished to go.
"Not to-day, Levis? I am sure you must be too much fatigued with yourlong journey," Violet said, with a look into her husband's eyes thatseemed to add, "I could not be content to part from you for an hourjust yet."
His answering look was as fond as her own.
"No, dearest," he said, low and tenderly, "nor do I intend to go at allwithout my little wife, unless she absolutely refuses to accompany me;we will stay quietly at home to-day, if you wish, and perhaps visit the'Wanita' to-morrow."
It was a bit of private chat, the others being quite engrossed with the'Wanita,' taking turns in gazing upon her through the glass.
The next moment Lulu was by her father's side, asking in eagerbeseeching tones, "Papa, if you go on board that war vessel won't youtake Max and me with you?"
"I think it highly probable, in case you should both wish to go," hesaid, smiling at the look of entreaty in her face and its sudden changeto one of extreme delight as she heard his reply.
"Oh, Papa, thank you ever so much!" she cried, fairly dancing withdelight. "There's nothing I'd like better; and I hope we can all go."
"You would enjoy it, my dear?" asked the Captain, turning to his wife.
"I would enjoy going anywhere with you, Levis; and your company isparticularly desirable on a man-of-war," Violet answered with a happylaugh.
"Thank you," he returned, with a bow and smile. "We must havethem--Wade and his officers--here too. It will be a pleasure toentertain them."
"Oh, Papa, how delightful!" cried Lulu, clapping her hands.
"Ah, my child, let me advise you not to be too much elated," laughedher father; "they may have or receive orders to leave this port forsome other before our plan can be carried out."
"What plan is it?" "To what do you refer, Captain?" asked severalvoices; for nearly every one had now taken a look at the man-of-war,and was ready to give attention to something else.
The Captain explained.
"Oh, how delightful!" exclaimed Zoe. "Will it be a dinner, tea, orevening party, Captain?"
"That question remains open to discussion, Sister Zoe," he returned,with a twinkle of fun in his eye. "What would you advise?"
"Oh," she said laughingly, "I am not prepared to answer that questionyet."
Then the others joined in with proposals and suggestions, but nothingwas positively decided upon just at that time.
The day was spent restfully in wandering along the shore, sitting onthe beach or the cottage porches, chatting and gazing out over thesea, or napping,--most of the last-named being done by the latelyreturned travellers.
The little girls of the family, occasionally joined by Max Raymondand Walter Travilla, spent much of the day together, rather apartfrom their elders,--Lulu most of the time giving an account of hertrip out West and weeks of sojourn in the town of Minersville, theacquaintances she had made, and all that had happened during the staythere, especially of the sad occurrence which so seriously marred theenjoyment of the last days of their visit, Max now and then taking partin the narrative.
Both had a great deal to tell about West Point and Saratoga, and theplaces of historical interest in their vicinity. Evidently the trip tothe far West and back again, with their father, had been one of keenenjoyment to both of them.
So the day passed and evening drew on. The little ones were in bed, theothers all gathered upon the porches enjoying the delicious sea-breeze,and the view of the rolling waves, crested with foam, and looking likemolten silver where the moonbeams fell full upon them.
Every one seemed gay and happy, and there was a good deal of cheerfulchat, particularly on the porch of the Raymond cottage, where wereGrandma Elsie, Edward Travilla, Donald Keith, the Captain, with Violetand his older children, and some of the other young persons.
The sound of approaching wheels attracted their attention. A carriagedrew up in front of the house, and from it alighted a gentleman in theuniform of a captain in the navy.
"Wade!" exclaimed Captain Raymond, hurrying out to meet him. "My dearfriend, this is very kind in you. I had hardly hoped to see you untilto-morrow, and not then without hunting you up. You are as welcome asthis delicious sea-breeze."
"Thanks, Raymond, that's quite a compliment," laughed the other,shaking hands heartily; "but I deserve no thanks, as I came quite asmuch for my own satisfaction as for yours. I understand you have beenhere for some weeks, but I only heard of it accidentally this morning."
"But it was only this morning I arrived," Captain Raymond said in atone of amusement; then, as they had stepped into the midst of thegroup upon the porch, he proceeded to introduce his friend to theladies and gentlemen composing it.
There followed an hour of lively, pleasant chat, during which CaptainWade made acquaintance with not only the grown people, but the youngerones also, seeming to take a great deal of interest in them,--Maxespecially,--listening with attention and evident sympathy as CaptainRaymond told of his son's prospect of soon becoming a naval cadet.
"You have my best wishes, Max," said Captain Wade. "I hope to live tosee you a naval officer as brave, talented, and as much beloved as yourfather was, and still is."
Max's eyes sparkled, and turned upon his father with a look of deepestrespect and affection as he replied, "I could ask nothing better thanthat, sir, I am sure."
"And I could wish you nothing better than that you may prove a sonworthy of such a father," returned Captain Wade. "I have known himsince he was a boy of your age, and never knew him to be guilty of amean or dishonourable act."
"Thank you, sir," said Max, his cheeks flushing, and his eyes againseeking his father's face with a look of reverence and filial love; "itis very kind in you to tell me that, though it's no news to me that I'mso fortunate as to be the son of a man any boy might be proud to own ashis father."
"Bravo, Max!" exclaimed Mr
. Keith, with a pleased laugh. "I like tohear a boy talk in that way of his father, and certainly you have agood right to do so."
"No boy ever had a better right than Max has to speak well of hisfather," remarked Violet, lightly, but with an earnest undertone inher sweet voice, "and no one is more capable of judging of that than I,who have lived with them both for years."
"And no one could speak too well of Papa," said Lulu, with impulsivewarmth, "for there couldn't be a better man than he is."
"I should be sorry to believe that, little daughter," he said, puttingan arm round her as she stood close at his side. Then he changed thesubject of conversation.
A few minutes later Captain Wade took leave, giving all a cordialinvitation to return his call by a visit to the "Wanita."
"We had talked of giving you a call to-morrow," said Captain Raymond,"but that would be a very prompt return of your visit."
"None too prompt," returned Wade. "Our time here together, Raymond, islikely to be all too short, and we would better make the most of it."
"So I think," returned the person addressed; "and I hope we shall havethe pleasure of seeing you here frequently."
"I think he's just as nice as he can be," remarked Rosie Travilla, asthe carriage drove away with Captain Wade, "and I hope he'll visit usagain soon."
"So do I," said Lulu, "I believe naval officers are the very nicestgentlemen in the world."
"That's rather strong, isn't it?" laughed her father; "and as you havemade the acquaintance of only two or three in the course of your life,I fear you are hardly a competent judge."
"And what of army officers, my little lady?" asked Donald Keith, with agood-humoured laugh. "Have you nothing to say for them?"
"Oh, yes, sir!" she said. "I forgot them at the moment, and I do reallythink they are _almost_ equal to the naval ones."
"Almost!" he repeated. "Well, even that is saying a good deal for us ifyour father is a fair sample of those belonging to the navy."
But it was growing late, and the little party soon separated for thenight.
Lulu was nearly ready for bed when her father came to her room tobid her good-night in the old way she liked so much. He took her inhis arms with a fond caress, asking, "Does it seem pleasant to be athome--or with the home folks--again?"
"Yes, indeed, Papa," she answered, putting an arm about his neck andlaying her cheek to his, "but you are always a great deal more thanhalf of home to me. Oh, I do love you so dearly!"
"And I you, my own darling," her father replied, caressing her againand again.
"I'd rather have you to love me, Papa, than have all the money in theworld without you, or with a father that didn't care much about me,"she continued.
"Dear child," he said in tender tones, "I value you, and each one of mychildren, more than words can express. Now I must bid you good-night,for you need all the sleep you can get between this and sunrise."
"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I do hope to-morrow will be clear, so we can goto see the 'Wanita;' or at least that it won't rain. Perhaps it wouldbe all the pleasanter for a few clouds to keep the sun from being sohot on us."
"No doubt," he replied; "but we must take the weather our heavenlyFather sends, and be content and thankful."
"Yes, sir, I'll try to do so; but I do hope it will be such that we cango."
"I hope it will, daughter; but if you should have to give up the tripfor the time, I hope and expect to see you do so pleasantly,--whichyou well may, considering that we are very likely to have otheropportunities."
"Well, if anything should happen to keep me at home, and I'm cross orsulky about it, I just hope you'll punish me well for my naughtiness,"she said so earnestly that he could scarcely refrain from smiling.
"I'm sure that in that case I should punish myself quite as much asyou," he said, giving her another hug. "My dear child, if you care atall for Papa's happiness,--as I am sure you do,--try to be so good thathe will never have the pain of inflicting any kind of punishment uponyou."
Then he bade her good-night, and left her to her rest.
Lulu's head was scarcely on the pillow before she was fast asleep. Whenshe woke, it was already broad daylight. She sprang up and ran to thewindow to take an observation of the weather.
"Cloudy, but not raining," she said, half-aloud. "Just as I'd like tohave it, if only it will keep so, and not turn to actual rain."
With that she began making a rapid toilet, thinking she would like totake a little run on the beach before the summons to breakfast; butwhen she reached the porch below, the rain was falling pretty fast.
"Oh, dear!" she sighed, "why couldn't it keep off for a few hourslonger?"
"What, daughter,--the rain?" asked her father's voice close at herside, while his hand was laid caressingly upon her head.
"Oh, good-morning, Papa!" she returned, lifting to his a sorelydisappointed face. "I didn't know you were here. Yes, sir, it is therain I'm mourning over,--I do so want to visit that man-of-war to-day;it's really a great disappointment!"
"I'm sorry you should feel it so!" he returned in a sympathizing tone;"but we won't despair yet. I think this is but a passing shower, whichwill make the trip all the more enjoyable by cooling the air nicely forus. However, should it prove too inclement for our contemplated littlejaunt, we must try to remember that our kind and loving heavenly Fatherorders all these things, and to be patient and content,--more thancontent, thankful for whatever He sends!"
"I'll try to be content and thankful, Papa; I certainly ought, when Ihave so many, _many_ blessings, and don't really deserve any of them,"she answered, putting her hand into his, and letting him lead her backand forth along the porch, which they had to themselves for the time.
"No; that is true of each one of us," he said. "Did you sleep well?"
"Just as well as possible, Papa," she answered, smiling up into hisface. "I didn't know anything from the time my head touched the pillowtill I woke to find it broad daylight."
"That is something to be very thankful for, daughter, as you willdiscover should sickness and pain ever give you long hours ofwakefulness, such as fall to the lot of many a poor sufferer."
"I hope that time will never come to either of us, Papa," she said;"but I'd rather it would come to me than to you. Oh, it was so hard tosee you suffer that time you were sick here, and that other time, whenThunderer threw you!"
"Ah, I shall never forget how tenderly affectionate and helpful mychildren were to me then," he said, with a look and smile that made herheart bound.
Now others of the family began to join them. Mr. Keith came out uponthe porch too, and after exchanging a good-morning with those who hadpreceded him, remarked that it seemed doubtful if they would be able totake their proposed trip to visit Captain Wade and his man-of-war. Butby the time breakfast and family worship were over, the clouds began toscatter; and in another hour the carriages were at the door ready toconvey them to the wharf, whence a boat would take them to the "Wanita."
Every one did not care to go that day; the party consisted of GrandmaElsie, Edward, Zoe, Rosie Travilla, Evelyn Leland, Mr. Keith, and theRaymonds, not including the very little ones, who were left at home inthe care of their nurse.
It was pronounced by all a most enjoyable little excursion. The weatherproved favourable, clouds obscuring the sun, but no rain falling; theofficers of the "Wanita" were very polite and attentive, taking themabout the vessel, and showing them everything likely to interest ladiesand children.
They, particularly Grandma Elsie and Violet, were charmed with theperfect neatness everywhere noticeable; the decks, the store-rooms,the magazine and shell rooms, the passages, the engine and fire rooms(into which they took a peep),--indeed, all parts of the vessel shownthem,--were most beautifully neat and clean.
The battery, which contained some new guns, seemed to interest CaptainRaymond and Mr. Keith more than anything else, while the ladies andlittle girls greatly admired their brilliant polish.
When they returned to the shore there was
still time for a delightfuldrive before dinner, which they took,--the best hour for bathing comingin the afternoon.
Captain Wade and his officers took dinner and tea with them the nextday by invitation. A great interest in the navy had been aroused in thebreasts of the young people, and they watched the officers furtively,and listened with attention to all they said that had any bearing uponthat subject.
Max was more and more in love with the prospect before him, and quiteresolved to make the very best of his opportunities should he be sofortunate as to gain admission to the Naval Academy.
His father had told him he might have this week entirely forrecreation, but on the coming Monday must begin to review his studiespreparatory to the examination he would be called upon to pass throughat Annapolis.
"I'm very willing, Papa," he replied. "I've had a long and delightfulvacation already out West with you; and as I'm very anxious to passas good an examination as possible, I want to study hard to get readyfor it. And I think it's ever so kind in you to help me by hearing mylessons."
"Well, my boy," the Captain said, with a pleased look, "make the mostof your holidays while they last, though I do not mean that it shall beall work and no play even after this week; a couple of hours given tostudy each day will probably be all-sufficient."
"And may I get up early and take them before breakfast when I choose,sir?" Max asked in an eager tone, that told how delightful he wouldesteem it to be ready to join in the pastimes of the rest of theirparty,--driving, boating, fishing, bathing, and strolling along thebeach and through the woods.
"Yes, my son, if you can manage to get enough sleep in season forthat," the Captain replied in an indulgent tone.
"I think I can, sir," said the boy. "I'll take an afternoon _siesta_ ifI don't get enough sleep without."
"That will do," said his father. "Remember health and study must bewell attended to, and the more fun and frolic you can manage to getbesides, the better I shall be pleased."
Bent on carrying out his plan, Max went early to bed Sunday night,and was up at his books working hard for a couple of hours beforebreakfast. It still wanted fifteen or twenty minutes of that time whenhe went down to the porch with his book in his hand.
His father was alone there, looking over the morning paper.
"Good-morning, Papa," Max said. "I am ready to recite whenever you wantto hear me."
"Ah! are you, indeed?" the Captain said, taking the book; "then I shallhear this lesson at once."
Max recited very creditably. His father commended him kindly, thensaid, "I am going in to the city directly after we have had breakfastand family worship, and shall take you with me if you would like to go."
"Thank you, sir; indeed I would!" returned Max, his eyes shining, forhe esteemed it one of his greatest pleasures and privileges to bepermitted to go anywhere with his father.
"Yes, I think you will enjoy it," the Captain said, smiling to see howpleased the boy was; "I have an errand which I shall tell to no one butCousin Donald and you. See here," pointing to an advertisement in thepaper he had been reading.
"A yacht for sale!" exclaimed Max; "Oh, Papa, are you going to buy it?"
"That is a question I am not prepared to answer till I have seen it, myboy," replied his father. "I shall take you and Cousin Donald, if hewill go, to look at it and help me to decide whether to buy it or not."
Mr. Keith joined them at that moment, and was greeted with a pleasantgood-morning and shown the advertisement, the Captain telling him thatif the yacht proved such as he would like to own, he meant to buy it,and if the plan was agreeable to his wife, to spend the rest of thesummer on board, taking his family and friends with him, making shortvoyages along the coast and perhaps some distance out to sea.
"Taking the opportunity to give my son some lessons in navigation," headded, with a smiling glance at Max.
"Papa! I couldn't ask anything better!" exclaimed Max, hardly able tocontain his delight.
"I'm glad to hear it, my boy," his father said. "But now remember thatour errand is a secret between us three until we return from the city."
"Then you'll tell Mamma Vi and the rest, sir?" asked Max.
"If I have made the purchase, yes."
The call to breakfast came at that moment and was promptly obeyed.
Max could hardly eat, so excited was he over the prospect of going tothe city with his father on so delightful an errand, but he said not aword on the subject.
The coachman had been given his order in good season, and by the timefamily prayers were over the carriage and horses were at the gate.
"My dear," Captain Raymond said to Violet, "a business matter calls meto the city, but I hope to return in season to take my wife in bathing,or out driving, or wherever she may wish to go."
"Thank you, sir," she said, smiling up into his eyes; "I'll try to beready for either by the time you return. But is not this a sudden move?I had heard nothing of it before."
"Yes, my dear; but as I am in some haste, I must defer my explanationuntil I get home again."
"Oh, I don't ask for an explanation," she returned laughingly, as hegave her a hasty good-by kiss; "you have always been so good since myfirst acquaintance with you, that I am quite sure you may be trusted."
"Ah! I'm much obliged for your good opinion," he answered, with atwinkle of fun in his eye, as he hastily kissed the children, thenhurried with Donald and Max to the carriage.
Elsie Yachting with the Raymonds Page 5
