passionately; "but I think you are a Pharisee--making yourself out so
much better than I am!"

The call to supper interrupted them just there, and perhaps saved them
from a down-right quarrel.

Lulu had no appetite for the meal, and it seemed to her that the others
would never have done eating; then that they lingered unusually long
about the house before starting for their accustomed evening
rendezvous--the beach; for she was on thorns all the time.

At last some one made a move, and catching a look from her father which
she alone saw or understood, she slipped unobserved into her bedroom and
waited there with a fast beating heart.

She heard him say to Violet, "Don't wait for me, my love; I have a
little matter to attend to here, and will follow you in the course of
half an hour."

"Anything I can help you with?" Violet asked.

"Oh, no, thank you," he said, "I need no assistance."

"A business letter to write, I presume," she returned laughingly. "Well,
don't make it too long, for I grudge every moment of your time."

With that she followed the others, and all was quiet except for the
captain's measured tread, for he was slowly pacing the room to and fro.

Impatient, impetuous Lulu did not know how to endure the suspense; she