"What's that?" Grandpa questioned, and Hortense told him of the noise and the candle going out.
"A rat probably," said Grandpa. "Weren't you frightened?"
"A little," Hortense replied truthfully, "but I think it was because Aunt Esmerelda was so afraid."
Grandpa looked at her, smiling under his bushy eyebrows.
"Would you go down to the storeroom and get me an apple if I gave you something nice for your own?" he asked.
"Don't, Keith," said Grandma sharply. "You'll frighten the child."
"I don't want her to be afraid in the dark," said Grandpa. "This is a big house and much of it is dark."
Hortense was silent, thinking.
"I'll go," she said.
"Good," said Grandpa. "Bring me a plateful of northern spies."