It was the perfect afternoon to be on the boat. Rosalind was happy that the phone call that had destroyed so much at least hadn't permanently prevented them from serenading the seals.

It was good to be doing something besides walking the beach, like some crazed widow out of one of Jane's books.

It was good to be with her sisters and Alec and Jeffrey too. And maybe it was because she had spent so much time alone, but everyone seemed to be buzzing with energy.

Batty and Jeffrey had gone through some sort of drama on the dock. Jeffrey had whispered a few things in her ear that had made Batty nod seriously and then smile. And then she had whispered some things back. Rosalind could have sworn she heard Batty say she was sorry, although Rosalind couldn't imagine for what.

Now the two of them were at peace. Batty was sitting next to her on the bench and humming into the wind. Jeffrey was teasing Skye as she manned the steering wheel. He kept grabbing it and lurching it to one side or another, making the boat turn sharply and Rosalind scream out loud.

Jeffrey and Skye had been acting like teenagers the whole week. Rosalind had sent them to Moose Market that morning to get essentials like paper towels and chicken. They had come back laden with pies, chips and beer.

Jane meanwhile had been uncharactersitcially silent, but extremely restless. She leaned on the side of the boat with one arm dangling in the water. Rosalind wondered if perhaps she was pondering her long ago heartbreak over the treacherous Dominic Orne. He had told her some story about the island they were passing, if Rosalind remembered correctly.

Alec was quiet too. He leaned against the back of his seat and held his saxophone close. Rosalind wondered if he was bored hanging out with all these young people.

When they reached the seals, Skye stalled the boat, and they all stood at attention.

Jeffrey and Alec started assembling the clarinet and saxophone, and Batty stood up.

"We shall be starting with our version of 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,'" Batty announced. "Not really about seals, but it does mention dogs which also bark like seals. Plus we just like the way it sounds."

Batty cleared her throat and Alec counted them down.

Rosalind gazed out at the lounging seals while Batty's voice rang out over the placid water. She loved when Batty sang. It always made her want to cry and laugh at the same time, and it made her heart overflow with pride. And she always thought of their mother and how much happiness it would bring her to listen to her youngest daughter.

So goodbye yellow-brick road, where the dogs of society howl, you can't plant me in your penthouse, I'm going back to my plough.

Rosalind sighed and wondered what her metaphorical plough was. Where was her home? Yes, it was on Gardam Street, but it was also wherever her sisters were. They were all lost in the music, and she took advantage to gaze upon each of them.

Batty with her face lifted up with the emotion of the song, using her whole diaphragm to get the notes out to those seals.

Jane with her eager eyes and whirring brain, staring at Alec and probably wondering how best to fit a saxophone into her newest novel.

Skye with her determined chin thrust forward as she looked at Jeffrey and smiled quietly to herself. Skye who had been the saving grace of this vacation, with all her wit and with her tenacious heart.

The song ended, and Rosalind clapped and clapped.

"And now we have a very special finale," Jeffrey said. He reached over and pulled a guitar case towards him. He looked at Batty. She took a deep breath and met Rosalind's eyes.

"This song is for Rosalind, who brought us all here because she knew we needed it, just like Rosalind has always known exactly what we need," Batty said. "And we love her for it."

Jane nodded emphatically and grabbed Rosalind's hand. Skye slipped her slim fingers around Rosalind's other hand.

"We all agreed this song was perfect, especially since it was on one of our mom's favorite CD's, which I don't remember of course, but Rosalind does, and she told us all," Batty said. "Alright, let's begin."

Jeffrey began to strum the guitar, and Batty's voice joined it. It was "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac. Jane's tears were near instantaneous.

Rosalind, to her credit, held it together until Batty sang: Can I sail through the changing Ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Then the tears started streaming down her face. Not the agonizing tears or frustrated tears of earlier that week. They were the pure tears of love for her sisters.

I've been afraid of changing, because I built my life around you.

By the time Batty was singing that verse, all three of her older sisters were crying and Jane and Skye had their arms wrapped around Rosalind.

Batty, the dedicated performer, finished the song. As soon as she had given the final note its due, she threw herself atop her sisters.

Alec popped a bottle of champagne and poured it out into plastic cups.

"To the seals," Jeffrey said raising his glasses. "And also to the Penderwicks!"

"To the Penderwicks!" they all shouted into the vast ocean air.