"You did not see me when you came in," he explained. "I have been waiting for you."
"Is anything wrong?" Mrs. Barton asked anxiously, her pretty colour fading somewhat. "Jack is not ill, is he?"
"Oh, no! He is fast asleep."
She drew a breath of relief, and then, turning to her husband, remarked, "You must think me unnecessarily anxious about Jack."
"It is quite natural you should be," he answered, with a smile. Then turning to Theodore, he laid his hand on his shoulder as he enquired kindly, "Why are you not in bed and asleep, my son?"
"I did go to bed, but when all was quiet I got up again, and looked out of the window till I heard the carriage coming; then I came downstairs. Jane thinks I'm in bed now, and oh, wouldn't she scold if she knew!"
Theodore raised his eyes to his father's face, and meeting a look of amusement, laughed merrily.
"And may I ask why you thus run the risk of Jane's displeasure?" Mr. Barton asked.
"I wanted to ask you a favour, father."
"Is it to be a secret between you and me, Theodore, or may she," indicating his wife, "stay and hear?"