Meanwhile, Keith grew tired of this scintillating talk, and leaving Ezra rattling away at a gallop in the drawing-room, he arose and went out into the hall. Glancing carelessly up the stairs, he saw a little figure in white coming down.
"Why, Meg," said Keith, going to the foot of the stairs to receive her, "what are you doing at this hour of the night?"
"Meg wants mumsey," said the child, putting her arms round his neck.
"Mumsey's busy," replied Keith, lifting her up. "I'll take you back to bed, dear."
"Don't want to go to bed," said the child, though she could hardly keep her eyes open.
Keith laughed, and rocked her slowly to and fro in his arms for a few minutes, humming softly till Meg grew tired.
"Will Meg go to bed now?" he whispered, seeing she had closed her eyes.
"Yes! Meg's sleepy."
Keith went upstairs with the quiet little figure in his arms, and seeing an open door leading to a room in which there was a subdued light, caused by the lowering of the gas, he went in, and finding Meg's cot, placed her in it, and tucked her carefully in.
"Good-night, dear," he whispered, kissing her.