“I don’t understand,” said Ralph then. “I like Harriet best, ’cause she’s so—”
“Ah, yes?” said Mr Durrant, in an encouraging voice. “Give me your reasons, my son; I shall listen with the greatest possible attention.”
“’Cause she is so splendid—and—and brave,” said Ralph, “and—and—noble—”
“Is she?” said Mr Durrant. “Can you prove that?”
“Does you want me to prove it, father?”
“Yes,” said Mr Durrant then. “If Harriet is really the bravest girl of all your school-mothers, and the noblest, then—she shall stay with you as your school-mother. But it has got to be proved to me.”
“And if I can prove it,” said Ralph, “you will really, really let her stay with me as my very own school-mother?”
“Yes, Ralph.”
“Sankoo so much,” said Ralph. His little face looked very much excited and the colour flushed into his cheeks.
“Now then, that is settled,” said Mr Durrant. “You have got to prove the thing, and I have got to see that I believe all about it. We won’t worry any more for the present, for the decision is not to be come to until we return to Sunshine Lodge. Go back to your own berth, Ralph. Turn round and have another hour’s sleep, for it is too early for anyone to be up.” Ralph, quite satisfied with what he had done, immediately obeyed his father. He was just like a little sailor, and instant obedience was his watch-word. But while a small brown boy slept, the big brown man lay awake, consumed with anxious thought.