"Cousin Ronald and brother Max, can't we have some fun there to-day, as well as at the wedding time?" said Ned in his most coaxing tones. "Possibly, bit laddie," returned the old gentleman pleasantly. "If I am not too auld, your good brother is no' too young." "But you are the more expert of the two, sir," said Max; "and perhaps it may be the better plan for us both to take part." "Ah, well, we'll see when the time comes," responded the old gentleman. "I like well to please the bit laddie, if it can be done without vexing or disturbing anybody else." "I don't think it can do that," observed Ned wisely, "for it's good fun and everybody likes fun. Even my papa does," he added with a smiling glance up into his father's face. "Yes; when it does not annoy or weary anyone else," the captain said in return. "Will Chester be over here this morning, Lu?" asked Violet. "He expected to when he went away last night," was the reply. "But possibly he may not come if he hears that we are to go there." "I think he is too much a man of his word to be hindered by that," her father said, giving her a reassuring smile. And he was right, for Chester was with them even a little earlier than usual. "Maud told me you were all coming over to lunch with her," he said, "but as some of you have never seen the place, I thought you might not object to a pilot, and the exercise would be rather beneficial to me." "You are right there," said Harold. "You know that as your physician I have prescribed a good deal of outdoor exercise." "Yes; I have been taking the prescription, too, and I find it beneficial; especially when I am so fortunate as to secure pleasant company." His glance at Lucilla as he spoke seemed to imply that there was none more desirable than hers. "Then, as the walk is a long one, I would suggest that we start as soon as may suit the convenience of the ladies," said Harold, and Evelyn and Lucilla hastened to make such preparation as they deemed necessary or desirable. The Parsonage was scarce a stone's throw out of their path and they called there on their way. They owed Isadore a call and were willing to make one upon her sister Virginia also--now making her home at the Parsonage--though she had not as yet called upon them. They found both ladies upon the veranda. Isadore gave them a joyful welcome, Virginia a cool one, saying, "I should have called upon you before now, but I know poor relations are not apt to prove welcome visitors." "But I had thought you were making your home at Viamede," said Dr. Harold. "No; not since Dick and Bob removed to Torriswood. I couldn't think of living on there alone; so came here to Isa, she being my nearest of kin in this part of the world." Harold thought he did not envy Isa on that account, but prudently refrained from saying so. Isa invited them to stay and spend the day there, but they declined, stating that they were on their way to Torriswood by invitation.