I positively forbid it," he added, with playful authority.
"That is right, captain," Elsie said, with a pleased smile.

"She is not strong enough yet for any such exertion, nor has she any need to make it." "Ah, mamma," said Violet, "are you not forgetting the lessons you used to give us, your children, on the sin of indolence and self-indulgence ?" "No, daughter; nor those on the duty of doing all in our power for the preservation of health as one of God's good gifts, and to be used in His service." They were all gathered upon the veranda now in the cool shade of the trees and vines, for the weather was extremely warm.
"I wish we were ready to sail to-day," said Zoe.

"How delicious the sea-breeze would be!" A nice-looking, pleasant-faced colored woman stepped from the doorway with a little bundle in her arms, which she carried to Violet.
The captain, standing beside his wife, bent over her and the babe with a face full of love and delight.
"Isn't she a darling ?" whispered Violet, gazing down upon the tiny creature with all a young mother's unspeakable love and pride in her first-born, then up into her husband's face.
"That she is!" he responded; "I never saw a fairer, sweeter babe.

I should fear to risk her little life and health in a journey to Nantucket by land; but going by sea will, I think, be more likely to do her good than harm." "It's all her, her, when you talk about that baby," laughed Rosie; "why don't you call her by her name ?" "So we will, Aunt Rosie, if you will kindly inform us what it is," returned the captain, good-humoredly.
"I, sir!" exclaimed Rosie; "we have all been told again and again that you were to decide upon the name on your arrival; and you've been here--how many hours ?--and it seems the poor little dear is nameless yet." "Apparently not greatly afflicted by it either," said the captain, adopting Rosie's sportive tone.

"My love, what do you intend to call your daughter ?" "Whatever her father appoints as her name," returned Vi, laughingly.
"No, no," he said; "you are to name her yourself; you have undoubtedly the best right." "Thank you; then, if you like, she shall be mamma's namesake; her first granddaughter should be, I think, as the first grandson was papa's." "I highly approve your choice," he said, with a glance of affectionate admiration directed toward his mother-in-law; "and may a strong resemblance in both looks and character descend to her with the name." "We will all say amen to that, captain," said Edward.
"Yes, indeed," added Zoe, heartily.
"Thank you both," Elsie said, with a gratified look; "I appreciate the compliment; but if I had the naming of my little granddaughter, she should be another Violet; there is already an Elsie in the family besides myself, you know, and it makes a little confusion to have too many of the same name." "Then, mamma, we can make a variety by calling this one Else for short," returned Violet, gayly, holding up the babe to receive a caress from its grandmother, who had drawn near, evidently with the purpose of bestowing it.
"What a pretty pet it is!" Elsie said, taking it in her arms and gazing delightedly into the tiny face.