On the threshold stood the two children in their long nightgowns, with wide-eyed, angelic faces.

They were being very good for the moment, playing the role perfectly of two obedient children.
'Shall you take us to bed!' said Billy, in a loud whisper.
'Why you ARE angels tonight,' she said softly.

'Won't you come and say good-night to Mr Birkin ?' The children merged shyly into the room, on bare feet.

Billy's face was wide and grinning, but there was a great solemnity of being good in his round blue eyes.

Dora, peeping from the floss of her fair hair, hung back like some tiny Dryad, that has no soul.
'Will you say good-night to me ?' asked Birkin, in a voice that was strangely soft and smooth.