"To take care of you? There is a housekeeper and a maid, and a jolly, good-natured black woman, who cooks in the kitchen. There are two carriages and horses, and there will be so much to see. It is so different from this."
She seemed to consider. "Yes," rather irresolutely, "if I could go. They would miss me so much here."
"And would you be homesick?"
"Not in a good long while, with you;" she returned with a child's innocence. "And you would surely let me come back?"
"Yes, my dear; even if it broke my heart to do it. I wish you were my little granddaughter."
"Then I would have another grandfather," and she gave a soft, musical ripple. After an instant she caught his hand in hers so plump and warm, and exclaimed—"Oh, I should like to go."
"Dilly; Dilly!" exclaimed the fresh boyish voice; "come and see what I have. Grandad and I have been fishing."
There was a string of shining plump fish that as Felix said still wiggled in their freshness. "Oh, Dilly, if you only were a boy! Grandad says you are not worth a button at fishing."
"They're fine, little brother. No, I don't love to fish. And baiting!" She shuddered as she spoke.
"But you can eat them afterward."