"I am very sorry, Mrs. Bristol, that you should have been placed in such an unpleasant situation," said Captain Gildrock when Dory had brought his speech to a square conclusion, which some orators find it very difficult to do. "Your son did no more than I would have done in the same circumstances. It was highly proper for him to defend his sister with his fists; and after that he acted only on the defensive." "I was very well satisfied with Paul, sir," added Mrs. Bristol. "I think you have reason to be. You have heard what my nephew has said, and I fully indorse the plan he has outlined. I shall leave it to him to carry it out in his own way." "You are very kind, Captain Gildrock, and I shall be grateful to you as long as I live," replied Mrs. Bristol, with enthusiasm. "Paul says your students were always much better behaved than those of the institute." "Unfortunately our relations with the school on the other side of the lake are not as pleasant as I could wish; but I do not intend that our young men shall be offensive to their neighbors." "The Goldwing is all ready to take you back to Sandy Point, Mrs. Bristol," Dory interposed. "But why should you return, madam?" said the principal. "I think you had better remain here. We have plenty of spare rooms, and we will do all we can to make you comfortable." "Thank you, sir; but I am afraid Paul will be uneasy in my longer absence." "Dory shall run over to Sandy Point, and inform your son what is to be done, and can bring you anything you may want," suggested Captain Gildrock. The principal gave some strong reasons why she and Lily had better remain at the mansion over night, and she finally consented to do so. Mrs. Dornwood and Marian, Dory's mother and sister, were called, and they soon made the visitors feel quite at home. Dory returned to the Goldwing, and was soon standing out of Beechwater. In less than half an hour the schooner was at the point. Paul was greatly astonished, and not a little troubled, when he saw that his mother and sister were not on board of her. But the skipper soon explained their absence, and stated what was to be done with the permission of his uncle. Paul went to the cottage for a few articles which his mother had desired, in a note, while the skipper looked over the situation of the cottage again, and arranged his plans for action. "We shall disappoint the Chesterfields once more, Paul," said Dory, when the son of toil joined him. "We have spoiled some of their little arrangements before." "They will miss the fun the major has promised them, but I think he will feel the loss of it more than they will. Of course, all he wants is to punish us," replied Paul, with a cheerful smile. "You can go over to Beech Hill with me if you like," continued Dory, when they reached the tender.