It appeared, at the last, that Wilson would have a drawback to her enjoyments in having the child, and I did not choose that: she had only a fortnight, you see, after five years, to be with her family.

So I took her place with him; it was necessary, for he was in a state of deplorable grief when he missed her, and has refused ever since to allow any human being except me to do a single thing for him.

I hold him in my arms at night, dress and wash him in the morning, walk out with him, and am not allowed either to read or write above three minutes at a time.

He has learnt to say in English 'No more,' and I am bound to be obedient.

Perhaps I may make out five minutes just to write this, for he is playing in the passage with a child of the house, but even so much is doubtful.