When Nurse had gone he was called to his father, who was sitting with his stepmother. True was still playing in the garden.
'I feel I must make acquaintance with my small son,' Mr. Allonby said, perching him on his knee.
'How is it you have thought such a lot about me?'
'I always knewed you would be nice,' said Bobby, with a slow shake of his head. 'I knewed fathers were.'
'How many fathers have you known?'
'Only God,' said Bobby, simply and reverently. 'He is my other Father, isn't He? And He's always good and kind to me.'
Mr. Allonby exchanged glances with his wife.
'You are a little character, I see. Tell me more. Are you a very good little boy?'
'Nurse says no boys are ever good,' said Bobby, not seeing the twinkle in his father's eye. 'I s'pose when I get to be a father I shall be.'
Mr. Allonby began to laugh. His wife shook her head at him.