And her smile grew radiant, as, looking me in the face, she answered,
"By my soul, husband, it is."

Then I went from her, down into my garden, where the day grew hot and
the flowers were beginning to droop. I stared upon them and could
find no solution to the problem that worked in my heart. And then I
glanced up, eastward, to the sun above the privet-hedge, and saw
_him_ coming across the flower beds, treading them down in
wantonness. He came with a light step and a smile, and I waited for
him, leaning heavily on my stick.

"Give me your watch!" he called out, as he drew near.

"Why should I give you my watch?" I asked, while something worked in
my throat.

"Because I wish it; because it is gold; because you are too old, and
won't want it much longer."

"Take it," I cried, pulling the watch out and thrusting it into his
hand. "Take it--you who have taken all that is better! Strip me,
spoil me--"

A soft laugh sounded above, and I turned. My wife was looking down
on us from the window, and her eyes were both moist and glad.

"Pardon me," she said, "it is you who are spoiling the child."