"Thank you, sir. I want to see mamma, of course."

"Then we will call at Ion, and perhaps may be able to persuade mother
to join us in a longer ride."

"Oh couldn't we hire an omnibus sleigh and ask them all to join us? It
would just about hold the two families."

"It is a trifle odd that the same idea had just occurred to me," he
remarked pleasantly. "I will telephone at once to the town, and if I can
engage a suitable sleigh, will call to Ion and give our invitation."

The reply from the village was satisfactory; also that from Ion, given
by Grandpa Dinsmore, who said he would venture to accept the invitation
for all the family without waiting to consult them.

The captain reported to Violet, then passed on into the apartments of
his little daughters. He found them up and dressed, standing at the
window of their sitting-room gazing out into the grounds.

"Good morning, my darlings," he said.

"Oh good morning, papa," they cried, turning and running into his
outstretched arms to give and receive tenderest caresses.

"What were you looking at?" he asked presently.

"Oh! oh! the loveliest sight!" cried Lulu. "Do, papa, come and look,"
taking his hand and drawing him toward the window. "There, isn't it?"