ther, let me tell you! I am so _wicked_. _I felt sure_ they would not
be really naughty; I_ felt certain--_"

"Susie," said mother faintly, "_I_ must go to sleep too. Some other time
we will talk it over, but not now."

"But I can't sleep," said Susie, "unless I tell you first."

"Come, Susie, try. I am sure it would be a great comfort to make excuses;
but, just for once, choose the harder part, and say nothing. You and I,
Susie, must get our beauty-sleep."

She stroked the flaxen pigtail and gently unloosed Susie's clinging
hands.

"Come, let me tuck you in," she said.

"Nurse is going to stay with Dick. Susie, I am very, very tired."

Susie's sobs ceased suddenly, and she stood up straight. It was the
hardest battle she had ever fought, but she was never one for half
measures. In perfect silence she allowed her mother to lead her away and
tuck her comfortably into the little bed, where Amy patiently waited for
her, and then, still silently, she put her two arms round her mother and
hugged her.

"Oh, thank you, Susie," mother said gratefully.

CHAPTER V.

Dick took many days to get well, and all the time his crib remained in
the corner of his mother's room. The red pail and spade were tidied away,
and his knickerbocker suit was put out of sight; and in the afternoon,
when the house was empty, and nurse, and Susie, and Amy, and Tom, and
baby were all out on the sands, his mother used to read delightful
stories to him, whilst he lay and watched her with round, wondering eyes.
His cough was troublesome at night, but however often he twisted, and
turned, and choked, there was the familiar face bending over him, her arm
beneath his head.

Dick was a very kind little boy, and he tried always to cough under the
bed-clothes, so as not to wake her, but it was no use. However carefully
he coughed, her eyes always opened at once.

"I am taking away your peace-time," he said, over and over again. And she
always answered, "Never mind, darling; I _could_ not sleep if you wanted
me."

"You look so funny," he said once.

"Perhaps I am tired, Dickie."

But she smiled as she spoke, and he felt relieved. It was when she was
too tired to smile that her face was strange.

And Susie's behaviour was quite angelic. She was happy and busy, and
brimful of good resolutions. She gave up many and many a morning on the
sands to play with Dick, and to let her mother go out to walk or shop.
Her astonishing meekness was a