Naturally Nellie wanted to go right home to her mother with it, and
nothing about the reception had any interest for her after she
received the big check. However, Mrs. Bobbsey insisted that
Mr. Minturn would take the money to Nellie's mother the next day, so
the little girl had to be content.

Then, when all the festivities were over, and the children's
excitement had brought them to bed very tired that night, Nellie sat
by her window and looked out at the sea!

Always the same prayer, but to-night, somehow, it seemed answered!

Was it the money for mother that made the father seem so near?

The roaring waves seemed to call out:

"Nellie--Nellie dear! I'm coming--coming home to you!"

And while the little girl was thus dreaming upstairs, Mr. Minturn down
in the library was telling about his visit to Nellie's mother.

"There is no doubt about it," he told Mrs. Bobbsey. "It was Nellie's
father who went away with George Bingham, and it was certainly that
schooner that was sighted some days ago."

The ladies, of course, were overjoyed at the prospect of the best of
luck for Nellie--her father's possible return,--and then it was
decided that Uncle William should again go to Mrs. McLaughlin, this
time to take her the prize money, and that Mrs. Bobbsey should go
along with him, as it was such an important errand.