"I am at liberty to go everywhere, as of old?" he returned, half in
assertion, half enquiringly and turning from her to his father.

"Certainly, my son; it is as truly your father's house, therefore open in
every part to you, as it was before you left its shelter for Uncle Sam's
Naval Academy," replied the captain, regarding the lad with mingled
fatherly affection, pride, and amusement.

"Thank you, sir," returned Max heartily. "Ah, Christine!" as the
housekeeper, whom something had detained in another part of the house at
the moment of their arrival, now appeared among them, "I'm pleased to see
you again; looking so well, too. I really don't think you have changed in
the least in all the time I have been away," shaking her hand warmly as he
spoke.

"Ah, Master Max, sir, I can't say the same of you," she returned with a
pleasant smile into the bright young face. "You are growing up fast and
looking more than ever like your father."

"Thank you," laughed Max, his eyes shining, "you couldn't possibly give me
a higher compliment than that, Christine."

"Ah, who shall say that I am not the complimented one, Max?" laughed the
captain.

"I, papa," cried Lulu. "O Maxie, come upstairs and see the improvements
there. You can look at the downstairs rooms and grounds afterward."

"Yes, run along, children," said their father, "and make yourselves ready