Raymond's letters became urgent for a speedy marriage.
He expected to be ordered home in June and allowed a rest of some weeks or months.

Then he might be sent to some distant quarter of the globe, and not see his native land again for a long while, perhaps years.

Under such circumstances, how could he wait for his little wife?
Would not she and her mother and grandfather consent to let him claim her in June?
The tender hearts of Elsie and Violet could not stand out against his appeals.

Mr.and Mrs.Dinsmore felt for him too, and at length consent was given, and preparations for the marriage were set on foot.
Then the talk about the captain's children was renewed, and Vi said, with tears in her sweet azure eyes, "Mamma, I do feel like being a mother to them--especially for his sake--it only I were old enough and wise enough to command their respect and obedience.

Ah, mamma, if only you could have the training of them! Yet I could not bear to have you so burdened." "I have been thinking of it, Vi, dear," Elsie said; "that perhaps we could give them a happy home here, and help them to grow up to good and noble man and womanhood, if their father would like to delegate his authority to your grandpa and you and me.