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XIX
An Interloper
David and I had a tremendous adventure。 It was this； he passed
the night with me。 We had often talked of it as a possible
thing； and at last Mary consented to our having it。
The adventure began with David's coming to me at the unwonted
hour of six P。M。； carrying what looked like a packet of
sandwiches； but proved to be his requisites for the night done up
in a neat paper parcel。 We were both so excited that； at the
moment of greeting； neither of us could be apposite to the
occasion in words； so we communicated our feelings by signs； as
thus； David half sat down in a place where there was no chair；
which is his favourite preparation for being emphatic； and is
borrowed； I think； from the frogs； and we then made the
extraordinary faces which mean； 〃What a tremendous adventure！〃
We were to do all the important things precisely as they are done
every evening at his own home； and so I am in a puzzle to know
how it was such an adventure to David。 But I have now said
enough to show you what an adventure it was to me。
For a little while we played with my two medals； and； with the
delicacy of a sleeping companion； David abstained on this
occasion from asking why one of them was not a Victoria Cross。
He is very troubled because I never won the Victoria Cross； for
it lowers his status in the Gardens。 He never says in the
Gardens that I won it； but he fights any boy of his year who says
I didn't。 Their fighting consists of challenging each other。
At twenty…five past six I turned on the hot water in the bath；
and covertly swallowed a small glass of brandy。 I then said；
〃Half… past six； time for little boys to be in bed。〃 I said it
in the matter…of…fact voice of one made free of the company of
parents； as if I had said it often before； and would have to say
it often again； and as if there was nothing particularly
delicious to me in hearing myself say it。 I tried to say it in
that way。
And David was deceived。 To my exceeding joy he stamped his
little foot； and was so naughty that； in gratitude； I gave him
five minutes with a matchbox。 Matches； which he drops on the
floor when lighted； are the greatest treat you can give David；
indeed； I think his private heaven is a place with a roaring
bonfire。
Then I placed my hand carelessly on his shoulder； like one a
trifle bored by the dull routine of putting my little boys to
bed； and conducted him to the night nursery； which had lately
been my private chamber。 There was an extra bed in it tonight；
very near my own； but differently shaped； and scarcely less
conspicuous was the new mantel…shelf ornament： a tumbler of milk；
with a biscuit on top of it； and a chocolate riding on the
biscuit。 To enter the room without seeing the tumbler at once
was impossible。 I had tried it several times； and David saw and
promptly did his frog business； the while； with an indescribable
emotion； I produced a night…light from my pocket and planted it
in a saucer on the wash… stand。
David watched my preparations with distasteful levity； but anon
made a noble amend by abruptly offering me his foot as if he had
no longer use for it； and I knew by intuition that he expected me
to take off his boots。 I took them off with all the coolness of
an old hand； and then I placed him on my knee and removed his
blouse。 This was a delightful experience； but I think I remained
wonderfully calm until I came somewhat too suddenly to his little
braces； which agitated me profoundly。
I cannot proceed in public with the disrobing of David。
Soon the night nursery was in darkness； but for the glimmer from
the night…light； and very still save when the door creaked as a
man peered in at the little figure on the bed。 However softly I
opened the door； an inch at a time； his bright eyes turned to me
at once； and he always made the face which means； 〃What a
tremendous adventure！〃
〃Are you never to fall asleep； David？〃 I always said。
〃When are you coming to bed？〃 he always replied； very brave but
in a whisper； as if he feared the bears and wolves might have
him。 When little boys are in bed there is nothing between them
and bears and wolves but the night…light。
I returned to my chair to think； and at last he fell asleep with
his face to the wall； but even then I stood many times at the
door； listening。
Long after I had gone to bed a sudden silence filled the chamber；
and I knew that David had awaked。 I lay motionless； and； after
what seemed a long time of waiting； a little far…away voice said
in a cautious whisper； 〃Irene！〃
〃You are sleeping with me to…night； you know； David；〃 I said。
〃I didn't know；〃 he replied； a little troubled but trying not to
be a nuisance。
〃You remember you are with me？〃 I asked。
After a moment's hesitation he replied； 〃I nearly remember；〃 and
presently he added very gratefully； as if to some angel who had
whispered to him； 〃I remember now。〃
I think he had nigh fallen asleep again when he stirred and said；
〃Is it going on now？〃
〃What？〃
〃The adventure。〃
〃Yes； David。〃
Perhaps this disturbed him； for by…and…by I had to inquire； 〃You
are not frightened； are you？〃
〃Am I not？〃 he answered politely； and I knew his hand was groping
in the darkness； so I put out mine and he held on tightly to one
finger。
〃I am not frightened now；〃 he whispered。
〃And there is nothing else you want？〃
〃Is there not？〃 he again asked politely。 〃Are you sure there's
not？〃 he added。
〃What can it be； David？〃
〃I don't take up very much room；〃 the far…away voice said。
〃Why； David；〃 said I； sitting up； 〃do you want to come into my
bed？〃
〃Mother said I wasn't to want it unless you wanted it first；〃 he
squeaked。
〃It is what I have been wanting all the time；〃 said I； and then
without more ado the little white figure rose and flung itself at
me。 For the rest of the night he lay on me and across me； and
sometimes his feet were at the bottom of the bed and sometimes on
the pillow； but he always retained possession of my finger； and
occasionally he woke me to say that he was sleeping with me。 I
had not a good night。 I lay thinking。
Of this little boy； who； in the midst of his play while I
undressed him； had suddenly buried his head on my knees。
Of the woman who had been for him who could be sufficiently
daring。
Of David's dripping little form in the bath； and how when I
essayed to catch him he had slipped from my arms like a trout。
Of how I had stood by the open door listening to his sweet
breathing； had stood so long that I forgot his name and called
him Timothy。
XX
David and Porthos Compared
But Mary spoilt it all； when I sent David back to her in the
morning； by inquiring too curiously into his person and
discovering that I had put his combinations on him with the
buttons to the front。 For