"Is he? I dare say he may be, poor mite. He has lived very much alone in India, and ruled it over the native servants. He's a very quaint little soul with decided opinions of his own, though he looks and is such a baby. You must show him how English boys behave, Chris, and teach him to play fair and give honour to others. Now, good night, darling."
Chris had never been kissed in such a tender fashion before. He lay back with rapt eyes after she had left him. "I'm her eldest son," he murmured to himself.
The sound of it warmed and stirred his heart. He felt it was a new calling, a sudden incitement to heroic deeds. He would take care of her, die for her if necessary. He was a bit of Dad: she had said so. He must behave like Dad.
Then Mrs. Inglefield visited her baby. She thought at first that he was fast asleep, but Nurse shook her head.
"He has been very restless and excited," she said in a low tone. "I suppose it is his arrival here. He slept for an hour straight off and then woke, and I can't get him asleep again."
"Of course you can't," said Noel, hearing the whisper and opening his eyes wide. "It's dreffully hard to get me to sleep. God has to send an angel to do it and he works at me for hours! And then, pop! Off I go!"
Then he seized his mother's hand and held it tight.
"Have you been to those uvver chil'en?"
"Yes, darling. What a happy boy you are to have a little sister and brother to play with!"
"I don't want them. They're too large for me. How many kisses did you give them?"