ELSIE'S JOURNEY ON INLAND WATERS BY MARTHA FINLEY [Illustration] NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY Publishers Copyright, 1895, BY DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY. _All rights reserved._ CHAPTER I. After her return from the trip across the lake with the bridal party, the _Dolphin_ lay at anchor near the White City for a week or more; there were so many interesting and beautiful exhibits at the Fair still unseen by them that Captain Raymond, his family, and guests scarce knew how to tear themselves away. At the breakfast table on the morning after their arrival, they, as usual, considered together the question where the day should be spent. It was soon evident that they were not all of one mind, some preferring a visit to one building, some to another. "I should like nothing better than to spend some hours in the Art Palace, examining paintings and statuary," said Violet, "and I have an idea that mamma would enjoy doing the same," looking enquiringly at her mother as she finished her sentence. "In which you are quite right," responded Grandma Elsie. "There is nothing I enjoy more than pictures and statuary such as may be found there." "And I am sure your father and I can echo that sentiment," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore, with a smiling glance at her husband. "Very true, my dear," he said. "Then that is where we shall go," said the captain. "That includes your four children, I suppose, papa?" remarked Lucilla, half enquiringly, half in assertion. "Unless one or more of them should prefer to remain at home--here on the yacht," he replied. "How about that, Neddie, my boy?" "Oh, papa, I don't want to stay here! Please let me go with you and mamma," exclaimed the little fellow, with a look of mingled alarm and entreaty. "You certainly shall, if you want to, my son," returned his father. "I am happy to say that my little boy has been very good and given no unnecessary trouble in visiting the Fair thus far. And I can say the same of my little Elsie and her older sisters also," he added, with an affectionate look from one to another. "Thank you, papa," said Lucilla and Grace, the latter adding, "I think it would be strange indeed should we ever intentionally and willingly give trouble to such a father as ours." "I don't intend ever to do that," said little Elsie earnestly, and with a loving upward look into her father's face. "I am glad to hear it, dear child," he returned, with an appreciative smile. "I, too," said her mother. "Well, we will make quite a party, even if all the rest choose to go elsewhere."