"If you say it is safe, Captain Dresser, neither Polly nor any of us need be alarmed, I am sure." The next morning, as the steamer was advertised to start punctually at the hour fixed, Bob was warned of his not having much time to spare when setting out for his bathe before breakfast with the good dog Rover.
"Oh, I'll be back in plenty of time," was his boastful reply.

"I'll take some bread-and-butter with me for breakfast, and get a cup of milk from the apple-woman on the beach; and shall be at the pier waiting for you before you leave the house." "Take care, my boy; we're rather late this morning, and you are running it pretty close," said his father, looking at his watch, as the young gentleman was scampering through the hall.

"You won't have half-an-hour altogether to spare." But, Bob was obstinate, and away he went across the common, with Rover at his heels.
"I know he will be late," sighed Mrs Strong, looking after him.

"I know he will be late." "Well, if he is, he will be left behind, that's all I can say," said his father, with decision.

"I'm afraid Master Bob has too much of his own way; and, it is just as well he should be taught a lesson sometimes." Thus giving his fiat, Mr Strong, apparently dismissing Bob for the present from his mind, hurried the preparations of the others, so that they, at least, should be in good time; and, some twenty minutes after the truant had left, he and Mrs Strong and his sister, with Nellie, started for the pier, arriving there just as the Captain came up in a great hurry, stepping along as briskly as he and his malacca cane could get over the ground.
"Where's Bob ?" he at once asked, missing the absentee.