Ralph sat very still for a minute: then he said, in a very low, determined voice: "I promised I'd say it: so I am going to." "You dear little man--you promised you'd say it:--what do you mean by that?" "Well," said Ralph, "it is this. I want you to choose Harriet to live with me when you is going to South Africa. I don't want Robina: I like her next best to Harriet, but I don't like her as well." "Now this is a very serious matter, Ralph," said his father, changing his tone and becoming wide awake and alert at the moment, and taking his little boy's hand. "You know, my dear son, that I shall be absent from home for several months." "I know," said Ralph. "You will have Mrs Temple to look after you." "I know," said Ralph again. "And being a manly boy, you won't fret." "'Course not," said Ralph. Whatever feeling there was in his heart, he would not let it come to the surface. "I is your own boy," he said, after a pause. "You didn't fret ever, did you?" "Not to show it," replied Mr Durrant, after a minute's pause. "Sank 'oo," said Ralph. "I understand," he repeated. "Well, my dear boy, that part is all right: but now, to be frank with you: I prefer Robina." "And I like Harriet," said Ralph. "Do you think, Ralph, that a little boy so young as you are is the best judge of who ought really to be his companion?" "I don't understand," said Ralph then. "I like Harriet best, 'cause she's so--" "Ah, yes?" said Mr Durrant, in an encouraging voice. "Give me your reasons, my son; I shall listen with the greatest possible attention." "'Cause she is so splendid--and--and brave," said Ralph, "and--and-- noble--" "Is she?" said Mr Durrant. "Can you prove that?" "Does you want me to prove it, father?" "Yes," said Mr Durrant then. "If Harriet is really the bravest girl of all your school-mothers, and the noblest, then--she shall stay with you as your school-mother. But it has got to be proved to me." "And if I can prove it," said Ralph, "you will really, really let her stay with me as my very own school-mother?" "Yes, Ralph." "Sankoo so much," said Ralph. His little face looked very much excited and the colour flushed into his cheeks. "Now then, that is settled," said Mr Durrant. "You have got to prove the thing, and I have got to see that I believe all about it. We won't worry any more for the present, for the decision is not to be come to until we return to Sunshine Lodge. Go back to your own berth, Ralph. Turn round and have another hour's sleep, for it is too early for anyone to be up." Ralph, quite satisfied with what he had done, immediately obeyed his father. He was just like a little sailor, and instant obedience was his watch-word. But while a small brown boy slept, the big brown man lay awake, consumed with anxious thought.