“I think it very likely,” he replied, as he helped the child to a cutlet, while their hostess was pouring out their tea.
Soon after they had finished the evening meal Owlet’s eyes began to wink and her head to nod.
Harcourt noticed the symptoms of sleepiness, and so he got up and said:
“I will bid you good-night,” and stooped and kissed her.
“Good-night, sir. And, oh, if Lady comes for me after I have gone to sleep, will you please wake me up?”
“Certainly, if she should come.”
“You have been very good to me, sir. Lady will thank you, oh, ever so much. And so will Ducky Darling, in her heart, for she don’t know how to talk much, poor little thing.”
When Harcourt had left the room the self-reliant child insisted on undressing herself, and was soon in bed and asleep.
Then Annie tidied up her room and went and knocked at Harcourt’s door.
He came out and followed her to her own room.