He sat down on a convenient box and studied the coloured plates and sketches. As he looked, his lips drew into a whistle of surprise and admiration, followed by a long breath of pity for what he was sure he understood.
Jeff, having just dropped off into the sound sleep of the healthy boy, found himself gently punched into wakefulness.
"Come to, Jeff, and tell me what I want to know," said Captain Rayburn, smiling at his nephew in the dim white light from the candle. Jeff raised himself on his pillow.
"Wh-what's up?" he grunted, blinking like an owl.
"Nothing serious. What was Charlotte going to do with her colour drawings? Show them to some wall-paper manufacturers?"
"What--er--yes--no. What do you know about it?" Jeff was up on his elbow now, staring at his uncle.
"All about it--except that."
"Charlotte tell you? I didn't think she----"
"She didn't. I guessed--and found out. You may as well tell me the rest."
"Isn't it a shame? Poor girl's worked months on those things; just got 'em done. You ought to have seen them; they were great. I told her she could take them as they were, but she wouldn't hear of it."