There were those at the X Bar X who did not sleep much that night. Mr. Manley might return at any time and tell of success—or failure. Many times Teddy and Roy leaped up from their beds, where they were lying fully dressed, and ran to the window, only to find that the noise they had heard was the wind blowing a shingle across the yard or a horse in the corral rubbing against the rails. The drizzle stopped, though the sky remained cloudy and a cold wind blew.
At one o’clock the boys heard a tapping on their door. Opening it quickly, they found their mother standing there.
“I wondered if you were asleep,â€� she said, with a little smile. “Now, this won’t do at all. We can’t have you wasting your strength, you know. Come down to the kitchen with me, and I’ll make some cocoa. Then you’re going to take off your things and get in bed—even if I have to tuck you in as I used to, not so long ago. In the morning you have to take Belle over to the 8 X 8, and, after that, there’ll be plenty of work to do. So you need all the rest you can get. Come now, we’ll get the cocoa made, then it’s to bed with both of you!â€�
“But don’t you want us to wait up for dad, Mother?�
“No, Roy. When he comes I’ll call you. You must get your sleep. My, listen to that wind!�
After a warming drink, Teddy and Roy, in obedience to their mother’s laughing orders, hopped into bed. Both declared that they wouldn’t sleep a wink, but, somehow, they could not keep their eyes open, and two o’clock found them deep in slumber. Mrs. Manley it was who watched at the window for the returning horsemen, her hands clasped tightly.
The day was three hours old when Teddy and Roy opened their eyes. Roy was the first one out of bed, and, practically throwing his clothes on, he made for the door. Teddy was a close second, and they descended the stairs together.
Their mother was waiting in the dining room. She put her finger to her lips and said in a low voice:
“Don’t make too much noise, boys. Your father is asleep right above. He came in at five o’clock.�
“Did he—did he—â€� Teddy began tensely.