He nodded a good-night to her, and marched off rather surlily to the smoking-room. Admiral Urquhart greeted him pleasantly: "What kind of night? Rain before long, eh?" "Begun already," the Major said shortly. "Look here!" the Admiral said. "I was a bit hot tempered at lunch, old fellow. Chop down your elm, if you like. Don't let us cut up rough with each other over such a trifle!" "Oh, it's all right," said the Major, appeased at once. "We'll have a walk round to-morrow and discuss it." He dropped into a chair, took his pipe out, and peace was restored. For the time, even Mrs. Norman's gentle insinuations had faded from his mind. His evening had been a delightful one. Austin was relegated to the background; the Major and the lady moved alone through a succession of dreams. Her personality possessed him, and he was content. There was another household in which peace had been made that night. Monica went back to her farm refreshed in soul and spirit. Yet a lurking fear was in her heart that she might find Chuckles still harbouring resentment against her for such summary chastisement. She found Aunt Dannie still dozing over the fire. "Have you heard or seen anything of the child?" Monica asked a little anxiously. "Eh, my dear? No. Why, you sent him to bed, did you not? I always think you are a little too bard upon him. But he is very obedient; he has not made a sound." Monica went upstairs. It was dark, and there was a great stillness in Chuckles' small room. A sudden fear seized her. Had he defied her after all, and made his escape downstairs, perhaps into the kitchen, knowing she had left the house? She hoped there would be no need for further scolding. Under her reserved, rather stern manner there beat a very soft heart where her small nephew was concerned. She stood on the threshold of the door, listening. It was an intense relief to hear a whispered, lisping voice proceeding from the bed. "And so you see, God, I'll just step up as quick as anyfing the minute you call. I'd like to. I know all about it. And Jesus is my very special Friend. Why, I know Him almost as well as Miss Sid, and when Aunt Monnie come she'll look and look, and will never find me nevermore, and she'll say to herself: 'Why, I spec' he's just been taken to heaven becorse I was cross!'" The little chuckle that gave Chuckles his name came at the close of his speech. He was evidently gloating over his aunt's supposed remorse when she found him gone. Monica suppressed a smile, and called out: "Chuckles, are you awake?" There was no answer. The whispering was over. She advanced into the room, and lighted a candle. Matches were not allowed in the child's room, but she carried a silver fusee case in her pocket. Then she saw that the bedclothes were pulled tightly over the small boy's head, and the little figure was rigidly still. "Chuckles, it's nearly supper time. Would you like to come down?" No answer or movement.