remonstrance or complaint, but submitted cheerfully to the decision of
their elders.

A busy, happy winter and spring followed, bringing no unusual event to any
branch of the family.

Max was frequently heard from, his father continuing to send him daily
letters, several of which would be replied to together by one from the
lad--always frank, candid, and affectionate, sometimes expressing a great
longing for a sight of home and the dear ones there.

After receiving such a letter the captain was very apt to pay a flying
visit to the Academy, in case there were no special reasons for remaining
closely at home, sometimes going alone, at others taking one or more
members of the family with him; his wife, if she could make it convenient
to go, or one or more of his daughters, by whom the little trip and the
sight of their brother were esteemed a great reward for good conduct and
perfect recitations.

Both they and the lad himself looked forward with ardent desire and joyous
anticipation to the June commencement, after which would begin the one
long holiday Max would have during the six years of his course at the
Academy.

The holidays for the home pupils began a day or two earlier, and a merry
party, including, besides the captain and his immediate family, the rest
of his pupils, with Grandma Elsie, her father and his wife, boarded the
_Dolphin_ and set sail for Annapolis to attend the commencement at the
Naval Academy.