I think we will try it to-morrow evening if nothing happens to prevent." "Oh, I'm so glad! You are such a good, kind papa," she said, delightedly, giving him a hug.
"The very best you have ever had, I suppose," he responded, with a pleased laugh.
"Yes, indeed," she answered, naively, quite missing the point of his jest.
On reaching home Edward and Zoe reported their conversation with the lady in the dory, and asked, "Shall we not go ?" "I think so, by all means, since it is for benevolent objects," said Elsie.
"Or anyhow, since we feel in duty bound to see all that is to be seen on this island," said Captain Raymond.
No dissenting voice was raised, and when the next morning word came that Mrs.Mack would exhibit that afternoon if a party were made up to attend, they all agreed to go.
The distance was too great for ladies and children to walk, so carriages were ordered.

Captain Raymond and his family filled one.
"This is the street that oldest house is on," remarked Lulu, as they turned a corner; "I mean that one we went to see; that has the big horse-shoe on its chimney." "What do they have that for, papa ?" asked Grace.
"In old times when many people were ignorant and superstitious, it was thought to be a protection from witches." "Witches, papa?
what are they ?" "I don't think there are any, really," he said, with a kindly smile into the eagerly inquiring little face; "but in old times it was a very common belief that there were people--generally some withered-up old women--who had dealings with Satan, and were given power by him to torment, or bring losses and various calamities upon any one whom they disliked.
"When you are a little older you shall hear more about it, and how that foolish belief led to great crimes and cruelties inflicted upon many innocent, harmless people.

But now, while my Gracie is so young and timid, I do not want her to know too much about such horrors." "Yes, papa," she responded; "I won't try to know till you think I'm quite old enough." Several vehicles drew up at the same moment in front of Mrs.Mack's door, and greetings and some introductions were exchanged on the sidewalk and door-steps.

Edward introduced his mother and Mrs.Fry to each other, and the latter presented to them a Mrs.Glenn, who, she said, was a native of Nantucket, but had only recently returned after an absence of many years.
"Mrs.Mack knew me as a young girl," Mrs.Glenn remarked, "and I am quite curious to see whether she will recognize me." At that instant the door was opened in answer to their ring, and they were invited to enter and walk into the parlor.
They found it comfortably furnished and neat as wax.

Seating themselves they waited patiently for some moments the coming of the lady of the house.
At length she made her appearance; a little old lady, neatly attired, and with a pleasant countenance.
Mrs.Fry saluted her with a good-afternoon, adding, "I have brought some friends with me to look at your curiosities.