I could not understand this extraordinary procedure; so I presently gave up trying to, and dozed off to sleep.

Pretty soon the watchman was back again, and this time he was gruff.

I was annoyed.
I said:-- 'What do you want to come bothering around here in the middle of the night for.

Now as like as not I'll not get to sleep again to-night.' The watchman said-- 'Well, if this an't good, I'm blest.' The 'off-watch' was just turning in, and I heard some brutal laughter from them, and such remarks as 'Hello, watchman! an't the new cub turned out yet?
He's delicate, likely.

Give him some sugar in a rag and send for the chambermaid to sing rock-a-by-baby to him.' About this time Mr.Bixby appeared on the scene.