"Good children," said their father; then noticing the longing look in Lulu's eyes, he excused himself to his friend, saying he would join him again presently, and went with them.
"That is a beautiful, bright, engaging, little girl of yours, Raymond,--one that any father might be proud of," remarked Keith when the Captain had resumed the seat by his side.
"She seems all that to me; but I have sometimes thought it might be the blindness of parental affection that makes the child so lovely and engaging in her father's eyes," returned the Captain, in tones that spoke much gratification.
"I think, indeed I am sure, not," returned Keith. "About how old is she?"
"Thirteen. Actually, she'll be a woman before I know it!" was the added exclamation in a tone of dismay. "I don't like the thought of losing my little girl even in that way."
"Ah, you'll be likely to lose her in another before many years!" laughed his friend. "She'll make a lovely woman, Raymond!"
"I think you are right," answered the father; "and I confess that the thought of another gaining the first place in her heart--which I know is mine now--is far from pleasant to me. Well, it cannot be for some years yet, and I shall try not to think of it. Perhaps she may never care to leave her father."
"I don't believe she will if she is wise. You are a fortunate man, Raymond! Your son--the image of his father--is not less attractive than his sister, and evidently a remarkably intelligent lad. He will make his mark in the navy; and I dare say we shall have the pleasure of seeing him an admiral by the time we--you and I--are gray-headed, old veterans."
"Perhaps so," returned the Captain, with a pleased smile; "but promotion is slow in the navy in these days of peace."
"Quite true; and as true of the army as of the navy. But even that is to be preferred to war,--eh, Raymond?"
"Most decidedly," was the emphatic reply.
"You leave for home to-morrow evening, I think you said?" was Keith's next remark, made in an inquiring tone.
"That is my plan at present," replied the Captain, "though I would stay a little longer rather than have the children disappointed in their hope of seeing everything about here that has any connection with the Revolution."