"And you in mine," she returned, her eyes dewy with happy tears; "and I
love your daughters dearly, dearly; I could hardly bear to part with them,
and I am glad to perceive that they, as yet, care nothing for beaux, but
are devoted to their father and happy in his love."

"Yes, I think they are, and fondly hope they will continue to be, for a
number of years to come," was his pleased response. "I have no doubt they
will," said Violet, and there the conversation ended.

* * * * *

"More than content, papa; for as I have often said, I just delight in
belonging to you," was Lucilla's glad response to his last remark in that
morning talk.

"Yes, I know you do, and so we are a very happy father and daughter," he
said. "I often think no man was ever more blest in his children than I am
in mine."

The talk about the breakfast table that morning was of the places it might
be most desirable to visit that day, and the final conclusion that they
would go first to the battleship _Illinois_, then to the lighthouse and
life-saving station, both near at hand.

"I am glad we are going aboard a battleship--or rather the model of one, I
presume I should say, and especially in company with a naval officer who
can explain everything to us," remarked Rosie in a lively tone.

"Yes, we are very fortunate in that," said Mrs. Dinsmore, giving Captain