The weather was delightful, and all greatly enjoyed the little trip. On
their arrival they found Max well and in fine spirits. The reports of both
his studies and conduct were all that could be desired, and the home
friends--his father in especial--regarded him with both pride and
affection, and expressed much pleasure in the fact that he was to
accompany them on the return trip.

Max dearly loved his home, and during the nearly two years of his absence
from it had had occasional fits of excessive homesickness; more, however,
for the dear ones dwelling there than for the place. So that he was full
of joy on learning that every one of the family was on board the
_Dolphin_.

No one cared to tarry long at Annapolis, and they set out on the return
trip as soon as Max was free to go with them.

The lovely weather continued, there was nothing to mar the pleasure of the
short voyage, the drive and ride that succeeded it--for the carriages and
Max's pony, Rex, which he hailed with almost a shout of delight and
hastened to mount, were found awaiting them at the wharf--or the arrival
at their homes, Ion and Woodburn, which seemed to the young cadet to be
looking even more beautiful than ever before.

"Oh, was there ever a lovelier place!" was his delighted exclamation as
the carriage, closely followed by Rex, turned in at the great gates giving
admission to the Woodburn driveway. "I thought that of it before I left,
but it is vastly improved; almost an earthly paradise."

"So I think," said Violet. "It does credit to your father's taste."