However late he returned at night, he never failed to look at Tinker in his cot in the room adjoining his bedroom, to assure himself that he was warm enough, or, if need were, lift him more comfortably on to his pillow.

He watched him in his childish complaints with more care than the careful nurses he paid to watch him, or even than the fond and faithful Selina.

And yet he did not spoil him.
Till Tinker was six years old they were playmates.

Then, little by little, Sir Tancred found himself drifting into the position of general instructor, and after a while began to give serious thought to the matter.

It was not, perhaps, a sound education that he gave the child.
The classical side of it and the commercial were alike neglected; the historical was forgotten.