.

.
Look at this child of mine!" cuddling the staring wax doll closer; "she's not undressed yet, and it's long, long after bedtime.

Hand me her night-clothes, Phil." The slim young nurse bent and disentangled a bit of lace and cambric from a heap on the floor, offering it to Selwyn.

He laid it in the hand Alixe held out, and she began to undress the doll in her arms, prattling softly all the while: "Late--oh, so very, very late! I must be more careful of her, Phil; because, if you and I grow up, some day we may marry, and we ought to know all about children.

It would be great fun, wouldn't it ?" He nodded, forcing a smile.
"Don't you think so ?" she persisted.
"Yes--yes, indeed," he said gently.
She laughed, contented with his answer, and laid her lips against the painted face of the doll.
"When we grow up, years from now--then we'll understand, won't we, Phil?
.