It always gave Bridget a queer little spasm of regret to see Colin's obvious affection for the little fellow.

He was fond of children, specially so of this one.

Lady Bridget knew, though he had never said so to her, that he was disappointed at there being no apparent prospect of her having a child.
And she--with her avidity for any new sort of sensation, although she scoffed at the joy of maternity--felt secretly inclined sometimes to gird at fate for having so far denied her this experience.

She herself liked Tommy in her contradictory, whimsical fashion; but now, the fuss over, the boy--who clearly was not in the least hurt--made her very cross, and she became positively furious at seeing McKeith delay yet further to unstrap his valise and get out a toy he must have bought for Tommy in Tunumburra.

Then, his grievance aparently coming back on him, he put the child abruptly aside, and leaving valise and horse at the Bachelors' Quarters, walked with determined steps and frowning visage down the track to the veranda.