"You know I always like to go everywhere." "I fear it will be a hard climb for a girl of your size," he answered doubtfully.
"Oh, but I want to go, and I don't care if it is a hard climb," she said coaxingly, coming close to his side and laying her hand on his shoulder.

"Please, papa, do say I may." "Yes, since you are so desirous," he said, in an indulgent tone.
Max came hurrying in.

"We can go up now, papa," he said; "the others have come down." Edward and Zoe were just behind the boy.

"Oh, you ought all to go up," cried the latter; "the view's just splendid." "Mother," said Edward, "the view is very fine, but there are sixty steps, each a foot high; a pretty hard climb for a lady, I should think.
Will you go up?
may I have the pleasure of helping you ?" "Yes," she answered; "I am quite strong and well, and think the view will probably pay for the exertion." They took the lead, the captain following with Lulu, and Max bringing up the rear.
Having reached the top and viewed the great light (one of the finest on the coast) from the interior, Elsie stepped outside, and holding fast to Edward's hand made the entire circuit, enjoying the extended view on all sides.
Stepping in again, she drew a long breath of relief.

"I should not like to try that in a strong wind," she said, "or at all if I were easily made dizzy; no, nor in any case without a strong arm to cling to for safety; for there is plenty of space to fall through between the iron railing and the masonry." "I should tremble to see you try it alone, mother," Edward said.
"It is a trifle dangerous," acknowledged the keeper.
"Yet safe enough for a sailor," laughed the captain, stepping out.
"Oh, papa, let me go too, please do!" pleaded Lulu.
"Why should you care to ?" asked her father.
"To see the prospect, papa; oh, do let me! there can't be any danger with you to hold me tight." For answer he leaned down and helped her up the step, then led her slowly round, giving her time to take in all the beauties of the scene, taking care of Max too, who was slowly following.
"I presume you are a little careful whom you allow to make that round ?" the captain observed inquiringly to the keeper when again they stood inside.
"Yes, and we have never had an accident; but I don't know but there was a narrow escape from it the other day.
"Of course crowds of people come here almost every day while summer visitors are on the island, and we can't always judge what kind they are; but we know it is not an uncommon thing for people standing on the brink of a precipice or any height to feel an uncontrollable inclination to throw themselves down it, and therefore we are on the watch.
"Well, the other day I let a strange woman out there, but presently when I saw her looking down over the edge and heard her mutter to herself, 'Shall I know him when I see him?
shall I know him when I see him ?' I pulled her inside in a hurry." "You thought she was deranged and about to commit suicide by precipitating herself to the ground ?" Edward said inquiringly.
"Exactly, sir," returned the keeper.
All of their number who wished to do so having visited the top of the tower, our party prepared to leave.
"Are you going to walk back, papa?
Mayn't I go with you ?" pleaded Grace.
"No, daughter, we must not try your strength too far," he said, lifting her into the carriage where Grandma Elsie and Violet were already seated.