She was especially touched and subdued by the interest Violet took in seeing her provided with new dresses made and trimmed in the fashion (which, to her extreme vexation, Mrs. Scrimp had always disregarded), and with many other pretty things. When she thanked her new mamma, she was told, "Your father pays for them all, dear." Then she went to him with tears in her eyes, and putting her arms round his neck, thanked him for all his goodness, confessing that she did not deserve it. "You are very welcome nevertheless, daughter," he said, "and all I ask in return is that you will be good and obedient." Vi wished to return to Lulu the pink coral ornaments, but that he would not allow. It was a great disappointment to Lulu, for she admired them extremely, but she showed herself entirely submissive under it. CHAPTER XXIII MAX. "Papa," said Max one morning, as they rose from the breakfast-table, "I feel as if a long walk would do me good. I'd like to go farther down the beach than I ever have yet." "Very well, my son, you may go, only keep out of danger and come home in time for dinner," was the indulgent rejoinder, and the lad set off at once. He presently fell in with two other lads a little older than himself, boarders in one of the near hotels, and casual acquaintances of his. They joined him and the three rambled on together, whistling, talking, and occasionally stooping to pick up a shell, pebble, or bit of seaweed or sponge. At length they reached an inlet that seemed to bar their farther progress, but looking about they spied an old boat stranded by yesterday's tide a little higher up the inlet, and were of course instantly seized with a great desire to get her into the water and set sail in her. "Wouldn't it be jolly fun?" cried Bob Masters, the eldest of the trio. "Come on, boys." Max was a rather heedless fellow, and never stopping to consider the right or wrong of the thing, or whether he were running into danger or not, went with the others. They found the boat, as they thought, in fair condition; there were two oars in her, and both Max and John Cox, the other lad, thought they knew pretty well how to use them, while Masters was sure he could steer. With a good deal of exertion they set the little craft afloat; then climbing in they pushed boldly out into deep water and bore down toward the ocean. Max had thought they were only going to cross to the farther side of the inlet and continue their walk; but almost before he knew it, they were out upon the sea, and the boat was rocking upon the waves in a way that seemed to him decidedly alarming. "Boys," he said, "let's put back as fast as we can. We don't know anything about managing a boat out here, and see how big the waves are!" "That's because the tide's coming in," laughed Masters, "so if we should upset it'll wash us ashore." "I don't know," said Max, "I'd rather not risk it; there's the undertow to carry us out again." "Oh, you're a coward!" sneered Cox.