"Bravo, Max!" exclaimed Mr. Keith, with a pleased laugh. "I like to hear a boy talk in that way of his father, and certainly you have a good right to do so."
"No boy ever had a better right than Max has to speak well of his father," remarked Violet, lightly, but with an earnest undertone in her sweet voice, "and no one is more capable of judging of that than I, who have lived with them both for years."
"And no one could speak too well of Papa," said Lulu, with impulsive warmth, "for there couldn't be a better man than he is."
"I should be sorry to believe that, little daughter," he said, putting an arm round her as she stood close at his side. Then he changed the subject of conversation.
A few minutes later Captain Wade took leave, giving all a cordial invitation to return his call by a visit to the "Wanita."
"We had talked of giving you a call to-morrow," said Captain Raymond, "but that would be a very prompt return of your visit."
"None too prompt," returned Wade. "Our time here together, Raymond, is likely to be all too short, and we would better make the most of it."
"So I think," returned the person addressed; "and I hope we shall have the pleasure of seeing you here frequently."
"I think he's just as nice as he can be," remarked Rosie Travilla, as the carriage drove away with Captain Wade, "and I hope he'll visit us again soon."
"So do I," said Lulu, "I believe naval officers are the very nicest gentlemen in the world."
"That's rather strong, isn't it?" laughed her father; "and as you have made the acquaintance of only two or three in the course of your life, I fear you are hardly a competent judge."
"And what of army officers, my little lady?" asked Donald Keith, with a good-humoured laugh. "Have you nothing to say for them?"
"Oh, yes, sir!" she said. "I forgot them at the moment, and I do really think they are _almost_ equal to the naval ones."
"Almost!" he repeated. "Well, even that is saying a good deal for us if your father is a fair sample of those belonging to the navy."
But it was growing late, and the little party soon separated for the night.
Lulu was nearly ready for bed when her father came to her room to bid her good-night in the old way she liked so much. He took her in his arms with a fond caress, asking, "Does it seem pleasant to be at home--or with the home folks--again?"