dozen than you are over one, and your wife is always going to the
nursery to see that the cat hasn't got in or the place isn't afire or
spots haven't come out all over the children."

They laughed tolerantly, lingering on the sill of Selwyn's bedroom.

"Come in and smoke a cigarette," suggested the latter. "I have nothing
to do except to write some letters and dress."

But Gerard said: "There seems to be a draught through this hallway; I'll
just step upstairs to be sure that the nursery windows are not too wide
open. See you later, Phil. If there's anything you need just dingle that
bell."

And he went away upstairs, only to return in a few minutes, laughing
under his breath: "I say, Phil, don't you want to see the kids asleep?
Billy's flat on his back with a white 'Teddy bear' in either arm; and
Drina and Josephine are rolled up like two kittens in pajamas; and you
should see Winthrop's legs--"

"Certainly," said Selwyn gravely, "I'll be with you in a second."

And turning to his dresser he laid away the letters and the small
photograph which he had been examining under the drop-light, locking
them securely in the worn despatch box until he should have time to
decide whether to burn them all or only the picture. Then he slipped on
his smoking jacket.

"--Ah, about Winthrop's legs--" he repeated vaguely, "certainly; I
should be very glad to examine them, Austin."