Finally, finding no one paid any attention, he let loose one short, sharp bark, which awakened Head-nurse, who with an impatient look to see if her children had been disturbed, and an angry whisper, "Go, then! thou mean-born beast," rose softly, set open the door for a second, then closed it again, shivering with the chill blast that swept in.

But Tumbu was out like a flash and disappeared in the darkness.
It must have been an hour afterward that every one's slumber was disturbed by the most insistent barking that ever was heard.

Even Akbar, usually the soundest of sleepers, sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"The evil-dispositioned hound!" said Head-nurse in drowsy anger.

"I deemed he had left us forever, and good riddance, too." But little Prince Akbar, half awake, protested in defence of his dear dog.
"Tumbu only barks when he wants something, nurse; go and see what it is." "A likely story!" cried Head-nurse.
"Well," interposed Foster-father philosophically, "some one must go if any one is to sleep." Whereat he went to the door; but Tumbu on the doorstep refused to come in; he barked, bounced off, and returned the next minute to whine and bark again.
"He only wants something; go and see what it is," came Mirak's deep-toned voice.

"I know he wants something." "Lo! man alive!" grumbled Head-nurse; "shut the door whichever way it is.