Which statement she almost verified the night Eustace caused such an excitement; she really did not wake until the second shot was fired.
But Peter was not a heavy sleeper. Moreover, he had heard something about the black-fellow stories too. Sandy Robertson gave him a good deal of information as they played together, and the little fellow got into a thoroughly nervous state.
Mrs. Orban often sat with him till he was asleep, and then left a shaded light burning both in his room and her own.
It did not startle her very much one night as she sat at dinner with the twins to see Peter tear into the room yelling for her at the top of his voice. She guessed he had awakened from a dream, and was just frightened at finding himself alone with no one but Sandy.
He sprang into her arms and lay there trembling, panting only "Mother—mother—mother," over and over again.
"Well, sonny, what is it?" said his mother soothingly, stroking back his hair from his forehead.
"O mummie," he gasped, "there's something moving in your room. I heard it."
Eustace and Nesta started, and exchanged frightened glances. But Mrs. Orban answered quite calmly,—
"I dare say, darling. It is probably Mary turning down the beds."
She rose as she spoke and went towards the door.