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 children should sleep half the time. Is that so, Peter?"

"Certainly, suh, I reckon likely 'tis," replied the other, willing to agree.

"Then don't wake her. You—you may have a little dinner put back for her," said "Uncle Joe," with some hesitation.

The butler stared at this unheard-of condescension, but answered after his common formula. Yet the plate of food he so carefully prepared and set in the hot-water dish to keep warm for her was destined never to be eaten.