Jim. Horrid. I hate being asleep.
Tim. But it's so difficult to keep awake sometimes, even if one has a book to look at.
Jim. I can't think why Nurse doesn't like us to bring our book to bed. This is just the time to have it. It gives one nice dreams. [He takes up book from the ground by his bed.] Look, I've got mine.
Tim. It would be safer to wait till she's been.
Jim [putting it under pillow]. Perhaps it would.
Tim. I do like it when Nurse looks in very softly and then says to Mother outside, "They're sound asleep, ma'am," when we're awake all the time!
Jim. Take care, here she comes.
[Nurse opens door with precaution, comes to beds, looks at both boys, who pretend to be sound asleep. She goes on tiptoe to door, opens it, says, "They're sound asleep, ma'am," and goes out quietly. The boys put out their heads, listen, and then sit up.
Tim. Now the book!
Jim. Read something very nice. Then we can think about it afterwards. That will keep us awake.