"Rather. But the Governor and I always spend Christmas with my aunt.
They have a large house party every year."
"It'll be more fun for you than here."
"Will it?"
She pulled Kate Kearney on to her lap, and stroked her long ears
thoughtfully.
"When did your mother die, Teddie?"
"When I was four."
"Do you remember her?"
"A little. I can remember hiding behind a curtain and watching, with
all my head stuck out, a lady all in pale yellow hunting in the vases
and under the table for me. Other bits I can remember, too. And I
remember screaming and howling because I didn't like the black frock
they put me into."
She gazed into the fire in silence. Then impulsively she stretched out
her arm and laid her hand on his knee.
"Teddie, will you promise me to go to bed at ten to-night?"
"At ten?" He lifted his eyebrows in surprise.
"Yes. _Please_," she coaxed.
"But why?"
"If I tell you, you'll get grumpy."
"No, I won't."
"Well, then, you're done up."
He frowned impatiently.
"I'm not!"
"There, I knew you'd get grumpy!" she replied pathetically; "boys are so
prickly."