Simpson looked at the baby as if fascinated, and the baby stared back at him. It was a new experience for both of them. "He's _just_ like Archie," he said at last, remembering my advice. "Only smaller," he added. 4 hrs. 2 min. 7 sec. "I can see you, baby," he said. "Goo-goo." Myra came and rested her chin on my shoulder. Silently I pointed to the finishing place on my watch, and she gave a little gurgle of excitement. There was only one minute left. "I wonder what you're thinking about," said Simpson to the baby. "Is it my glasses you want to play with?" "Help!" I murmured. "This will never do." "He just looks and looks. Ah! but his Uncle Samuel knows what baby wants to see." (I squeezed Myra's arm. 4 hrs. 3 mins. 10 secs. There was just time.) "I wonder if it's anything in his uncle's waistcoat?" "No!" whispered Myra to me in agony. "_Certainly_ not." "He _shall_ see it if he wants to," said Simpson soothingly, and put his hand to his waistcoat pocket. I smiled triumphantly at Myra. He had five seconds to get the watch out--plenty of time. "Bother!" said Simpson. "I left it upstairs." III.--HE CHOOSES A NAME The afternoon being wet we gathered round the billiard-room fire and went into committee. "The question before the House," said Archie, "is what shall the baby be called, and why. Dahlia and I have practically decided on his names, but it would amuse us to hear your inferior suggestions and point out how ridiculous they are." Godfather Simpson looked across in amazement at Godfather Thomas. "Really, you are taking a good deal upon yourself, Archie," he said coldly. "It is entirely a matter for my colleague and myself to decide whether the ground is fit for--to decide, I should say, what the child is to be called. Unless this is quite understood we shall hand in our resignations." "We've been giving a lot of thought to it," said Thomas, opening his eyes for a moment. "And our time is valuable." He arranged the cushions at his back and closed his eyes again. "Well, as a matter of fact, the competition isn't quite closed," said Archie. "Entries can still be received." "We haven't really decided at all," put in Dahlia gently. "It _is_ so difficult." "In that case," said Samuel, "Thomas and I will continue to act. It is my pleasant duty to inform you that we had a long consultation yesterday, and finally agreed to call him--er--Samuel Thomas." "Thomas Samuel," said Thomas sleepily. "How did you think of those names?" I asked. "It must have taken you a tremendous time." "With a name like Samuel Thomas Mannering," went on Simpson ["Thomas Samuel Mannering," murmured Thomas], "your child might achieve almost anything. In private life you would probably call him Sam." "Tom," said a tired voice. "Or, more familiarly, Sammy." "Tommy," came in a whisper from the sofa. "What do you think of it?" asked Dahlia. "I mustn't say," said Archie; "they're my guests. But I'll tell you privately some time."