"I too," said little Ned. "Please, papa, sit down now and let your baby
boy sit on your knee a little while. You have been gone so long away from
me."

"So long, papa's dear boy!" the captain repeated with a smile of fatherly
affection into the bright, coaxing little face, then seating himself, he
took the little fellow in his arms, and petted and caressed him to his
heart's content. "Papa missed his dear little boy," he said, "but hoped he
was having a good time here with dear grandma."

"Yes, papa, so I was. Grandma's ever so nice, but I want my papa and
mamma, too."

"That's right, darling! mamma and papa would never know how to do without
their dear baby boy," Violet said, adding her caresses to those of his
father, the captain having taken a seat close at her side.

"Nor me either, mamma?" asked Elsie, drawing near, putting one hand into
that of her mother and laying the other on her father's knee, her look and
tones a trifle wistful, as if she were half fearful that she was less
highly appreciated than her brother.

"No, indeed, dear child!" they replied, speaking together, "we love you
just the same."

"Gracie also," the captain added, turning toward her with a tenderly
appreciative smile. "You were looking very weary, daughter, when you left
us some hours ago. Are you feeling better now?

"Yes, thank you, papa," she replied with a sweet, glad smile. "How kindly