“Do you know how long it takes a tired man to go to sleep, my lad?”
“No. I never noticed.”
“Just about as long sometimes as it takes him to shut his eyes.”
“Nonsense!”
“And sometimes not so long, for he’s asleep before they’re shut.”
“Old Griggs is making this up, Ned,” said Chris.
“No, he isn’t, my lad, for I’ve seen it; and I tell you what I’ve often seen too—a man go off fast asleep on horseback. There, now lie down and get your own share.”
“I wish I’d told father.”
“Tell him in the morning over your breakfast, when you’re eating frizzled bird. Now then, no more talking.”
“I haven’t done yet,” said Chris stubbornly, and now feeling wonderfully wide awake. “Look here, I’m not going to have father woke up in four hours. He’s more tired than I am, and you are going to wake me to take your place.”