Something in the rough, homely words soothed the mother more than a hundred more polished speeches.  She nestled into her pillow sleepily with a little smile, her eyes never wandering from Garth for more than a moment.  But presently the heavy lids drooped, and sleep came to her: deep, refreshing sleep, this time, unbroken by the weary maze of dreams that had tortured her before. She did not stir when ’Possum and Garth tip-toed from the room.