E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Project
Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
A Sequel to Elsie's New Relations
by
1884
Three years ago I spent some six weeks on Nantucket Island, making thetown of the same name my headquarters, but visiting other points ofinterest, to which I take the characters of my story; so that indescribing the pleasures of a sojourn there during our heated term, Iwrite from experience; though, in addition to my own notes, I have madeuse of Northrup's "'Sconset Cottage Life" to refresh my memory andassist me in giving a correct idea of the life led by summer visitorswho take up their abode for the season in one of those odd littledwellings which form the "original 'Sconset."
Should my account of the delights of Nantucket as a summer resort leadany of my readers to try it for themselves, I trust they will not meetwith disappointment or find my picture overdrawn.
"How happy they,
Who from the toil and tumult of their lives
Steal to look down where naught but ocean strives."
—Byron.
"Well, captain, for how long have you Uncle Sam's permission to stay onshore this time?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, as the family at Ion sat about thebreakfast-table on the morning after Captain Raymond's arrival.
"Just one month certain, sir, with the possibility that the leave ofabsence may be extended," was the reply, in a cheery tone; "and as Iwant to make the very most of it, I propose that our plans for a summerouting be at once discussed, decided upon, and carried out."
"I second the motion," said Mr. Dinsmore. "Are all the grown peopleagreed? The consent of the younger ones may safely be taken forgranted," he added, with a smiling glance from one to another.
"I am agreed and ready for suggestions," replied his wife.
"And I," said his daughter.
"Vi is, of course, since the proposition comes from her husband," Edwardremarked, with a sportive look at her; then glancing at his own littlewife: "and as I approve, Zoe will be equally ready with her consent."
"Have you any suggestion to offer, captain?" asked Mr. Dinsmore.
"I have, sir; and it is that we make the island of Nantucket our summerresort for this year, dividing the time, if you like, between NantucketTown and the quaint little fishing village Siasconset, or 'Sconset, asthey call it for short. There is an odd little box of a cottage therebelonging to a friend of mine, a Captain Coffin, which I have partiallyengaged until the first of September. It wouldn't hold nearly all of us,but we may be able to rent another for the season, or we can pitch atent or two, and those who prefer it can take rooms, with or withoutboard, at the hotels or boarding-houses. What do you all say?" glancingfrom his mother-in-law to his wife.
"It sounds very pleasant, captain," Elsie said; "but please tell us moreabout it; I'm afraid I must acknowledge shameful ignorance of thatportion of my native land."
"A very small corner of the same, yet a decidedly interesting one,"returned the captain; then went on to give a slight sketch of itsgeography and history.
"It is about fifteen miles l