"An excellent idea, my dear," said Violet. "I think we will all enjoy it, for I know that Florida's history is an interesting one." "Were you ever there, papa?" asked Elsie. "Yes; and I found it a lovely place to visit at the right time of the year." "That means the winter time, I suppose?" "Yes; we should find it unpleasantly warm in the summer." "How soon are we going, papa?" asked Ned. "Probably about the 1st of February." "To stay long?" "That will depend largely upon how we enjoy ourselves." "The study of the history of Florida will be very interesting, I am sure, father," said Lucilla; "but we will hardly find time for it until next week." "No," he replied, "I suppose not until after New Year's--as we are to go through quite a round of family reunions. But in the meantime I will, as I said, procure the needed books." "And shall we learn lessons in them in school time, papa?" asked Ned. "No, son; when we are alone together in the evenings--or have with us only those who care to have a share in learning all they can about Florida. Our readers may then take turns in telling the interesting facts they have learned from the books. Do you all like the plan?" All thought they should like it; so it was decided to carry it out. That week except Sunday was filled with a round of most enjoyable family festivities, now at the home of one part of the connection, now at another, and wound up with a New Year's dinner at Woodburn. There was a good deal of talk among them about Florida and the pleasure probably to be found in visiting it that winter, to say nothing of the benefit to the health of several of their company--Chester especially, as he still had a troublesome cough. "You should go by all means, Chester," said Dr. Conly, "and the sooner the better." "I think I can arrange to go by the 1st of February," replied Chester, "and shall be glad to do so if I can secure the good company of the rest of you, or even some of you." "Of one in particular, I presume," laughed his brother. "Will you take us in the yacht, my dear?" asked Violet, addressing her husband. "If the weather proves suitable we can go in that way--as many as the _Dolphin_ can accommodate comfortably. Though probably some of the company would prefer travelling by rail, as the speedier and, at this season, the safer mode," replied Captain Raymond. "If we take the yacht you, mamma, will go with us in it, of course," observed Violet. "Grandpa and Grandma, too." "Thank you, daughter, the yacht always seems very pleasant and homelike to me, and I have great confidence in my honored son-in-law as her commander," returned Mrs. Travilla, with a smiling look at the captain. He bowed his acknowledgments, saying, "Thank you, mother, I fully appreciate the kindness of that remark." Then turning to his wife's grandfather, "And you, sir, and your good wife, I hope may feel willing to be of our company should we decide to take the yacht?"