for the tea table before you come down again."

"Yes, sir," they answered in cheerful tones, Max catching up little Ned as
he spoke, and setting him on his shoulder. "Hold on tight, laddie, and
your big brother will carry you up," he said, and one chubby arm instantly
went round his neck, a gleeful laugh accompanying it as Max began the
ascent, his sisters following, Violet and the captain presently bringing
up the rear.

"Into our rooms first, Max," said Violet. "You, too, Lulu and Gracie, that
you may hear what he has to say about things there."

"Thank you, Mamma Vi," returned Max. "I want to visit every room in the
house and have all the family go with me if they like."

"You will find a few additions here and there to the furnishings, but no
great changes anywhere, Max," said his father.

"I should hope not, sir, as things seemed to me pretty nearly perfect
before I went away," returned Max in a lively tone, "I only wish every one
of my mates had as sweet a home to spend his long vacation in, and as kind
a father and friends to help him enjoy it."

"Ah, we may well pity the lad who lacks the blessings of a good home and
affectionate parents," said the captain. "I can never forget how much they
were to me in my boyhood."

"I think you must have forgotten how long I have been away, papa," laughed
Max as they finished the circuit of the rooms on that floor, "for I have
come upon a good many new things."