He watched her thus till a sense of trespass came upon him, and then he
rose, bent over her, and very tenderly lifted her.

She was alert on the instant, with a sharp movement of resistance. Then
at once her arms went round his neck. "Oh, darling, is it you? Don't
bother to carry me! You're so tired!"

He smiled at the idea, and she nestled against his heart, lifting soft
lips to his.

He carried her to bed, and laid her down, but she would not let him go
immediately. She yet clung about his neck, hiding her face against it.

He held her closely. "Good-night, little pal--little sweetheart," he
said.

Her arms tightened. "Billikins!" she said.

He waited. "What is it, dear?"

She became a little agitated. He could feel her lips moving, but they
said no audible word.

He waited in silence. And suddenly she raised her face and looked at him
fully. There was a glory in her eyes such as he had never seen before.

"I dreamt last night that the wonderfullest thing happened," she said,
her red lips quivering close to his own. "Billikins, what if--the dream
came true?"