ked at the door to know what
was the matter.

I tried all I knew to quiet him down. He wouldn't listen to me, not
even when I tried to tell him his "Three Bears." He bellowed out one
incessant "Want to get in beside you! Want to get in beside you!!" till
finally I chucked up the sponge and actually went to bed to oblige him.

He simmered down after that; and I began to hope he'd drop off and get
to sleep. But bless you, Jossy, was it likely, after those buns and the
dinner he'd had?

We had a fearful night, I can tell you. He kicked till I was black and
blue, and rolled over and over till I hadn't a stitch on me. Then he
wanted some water to drink. Then he wanted the gas alight. Then he
began to blubber for his mother. Then he wanted the clothes on. Then
he wanted them off. Then he got his feet entangled in the night-gown.
Then he wanted some chocolates. Then he wanted to know who was talking
in the next room. Then he wanted the pillow turned over. Then he
wanted a story told him, and shut me up before I'd begun one sentence of
it. Then he wanted me to put my arm round him. Then he wanted me to
lie over on the edge of the bed. Then he had a pain in his "tummy," and
called on me to make it well, and howled because I couldn't.

Poor little beggar! He was in a jolly bad way, and I couldn't well cut
up rough; but I can tell you it was the worst night I ever spent. He
didn't quiet down till about three in the morning; and then he went off
with his head on my chest and his hand on my nose, and I daren't for the
life of me shift an inch, for fear of bringing it all on again.

I suppose I must have dropped off myself at last; for the next thing I
remember, it was broad daylight, and the young cad was sitting on the
top of me as merry as a cricket, trying to prize my eyes open with his
fingers.

"Can't you let a chap be?" grunted I; "haven't you made a beast enough
of yourself all night without starting again now?"

"I want to see your eyes," said he.

Then he began to jump up and down on the top of me, and explained that
he was "riding in the puff-puff."

I wished to goodness he was! Of course I had to wake up, and then we
had those brutal "Three Bears" on again for an hour, till it was time to
get up.

He insisted on being tubbed all over, with soap, and criticised me all
the while.

"Boys who spill on the carpet must be whipped," said he. "Mother will
whip you, and you'll cry--ha, ha!"

"I