"I didn't make that remark, mother," he laughed. "I am thankful to be here, and enjoying myself right well. Ah, Cousin Ronald, I think you know who made that ill-sounding speech." "Ah," said the old gentleman with a sad shake of the head, "there seems to be never a rude or disagreeable speech that is not laid to my account." Then a voice seemed to come from a distant corner: "Can't you let that poor old man alone? It was I that said the words you accuse him of uttering." "Ah," said Walter; "then show yourself, and let us see what you are like." "I am not hiding, and don't object to being looked at, though I am not half so well worth looking at as some of the other people in this room." "Well, that acknowledgment shows that you are not vain and conceited," said Walter. "Who would dare call me that?" asked the voice in angry, indignant tones. The words were quickly followed by a sharp bark, and then the angry spitting of a cat, both seeming to come from under the table. Little Elsie, who was sitting close beside it, sprang up with a startled cry of "Oh, whose dog and cat are they?" "Cousin Ronald's," laughed Ned, peeping under the table and seeing nothing there. At that instant a bee seemed to fly close to the little boy's ear, then circle round his head, and he involuntarily dodged and put up his hand to drive it away. Then he laughed, saying in mirthful tones, "Oh, that was just Cousin Ronald, I know!" The older people were looking on and laughing, but Lucilla started and sprang to her feet with an exclamation of affright as the loud, fierce bark of a seemingly ferocious big dog sounded close to her ear. Everybody laughed, she among the rest, but she said pleadingly: "Oh, don't do that again, Cousin Ronald! I didn't know I had any nerves, but I believe I have." "Well, daughter, don't encourage them," her father said in kind and tender tones, taking her hand in his as he spoke, for she was close at his side, as she was pretty sure to be whenever she could manage it. "I am truly sorry if I hurt those nerves, Lu," said the old gentleman kindly. "I meant but to afford amusement, and shall be more careful in the future." "Do some more, Cousin Ronald; oh, please do some more, without scaring Lu or anybody," pleaded Ned. "Ned, Ned, it's time to go to bed," said a voice seeming to come from the door of the stateroom where the little boy usually passed the night. "No, sir, you're mistaken," he answered; "it won't be that for two or three hours yet." "Captain," called a voice that seemed to come from overhead, "please come up here, sir, and see if all is going well with the vessel." Captain Raymond looked up. "I think I can trust matters to you for the present, my men," he said. "We are in a safe harbor and have little or nothing to fear." "Papa, did somebody call you?" asked Ned.