This tale is likely going to be didactic with the moral embedded. The father of the pretty daughter has decided to lose his daughter due the what the stepmother has told him. He tried to lose the daughter on three different occasions but it wasn't on the third attempt that he succeeded.
The pretty daughter is lucky to come across a wealthy woman who decides to help her out by giving her all that she didn't even ask for.
I guess you didn't want the water to bring back some old memories of the day when you were in the Navy. Glad you were able to go out with your family later. I'm sure you enjoy yourself to the fullest.