"Yes," returned his mother, "and a most gloomy prison it must have proved
to them, used as they were to the free life of the mountains, prairies,
and forests."

Some little time longer was spent in viewing the tropical plants and trees
that adorned the exterior of the fort, then they passed inside and
examined the many beautiful things to be seen there.

Their next visit was to the headquarters of the State of Washington,
where they were much interested in the display of her native woods and the
rockery built of native ores, showing pure streaks of gold and silver, so
illustrating the mineral wealth of the State.

"Where next?" asked Mr. Dinsmore as they passed out.

"Papa, I'm so tired," little Elsie was saying at the same moment, in a low
aside to her father.

"I, too," added Ned, overhearing her. "Please can't we take a ride now?"

"Surely," said Grandpa Dinsmore, overhearing the request. "I invite you
all to try an electric boat on the lagoon."

No one seemed disposed to decline the invitation; some time was spent on
the water, then on the Intramural Railway. After that the whole party, at
the invitation of Violet and the captain, went aboard the yacht, still
lying in the lake at no great distance from the Peristyle, and partook of
a supper which was no unpleasant contrast to the enjoyable dinner with
which Grandma Elsie had provided them.