Then, all at once, there came an unmistakable "Ha, ha, ha!" in the Doctor's gruff voice, and that settled it.
"He couldn't have been cross," thought Vince, "or he wouldn't laugh like that.

And it was only the pillow after all." Two minutes later the boy was asleep, and breathing gently without dreams, and so soundly that he did not hear the handle of the door creak softly, nor a light step on the floor.

Neither did he hear a voice say: "Asleep, Vince ?" nor feel a hand upon his forehead, nor two soft, warm lips take their place as a gentle voice whispered: "God bless my darling boy!".