“Wild, yes! You know when I was a wood-sprite I could climb trees like a squirrel; well, now, I am a sea-nymph—I can swim like a duck and dive like a fish—ask granny if I can’t! cried Nettie, reiterating all her exclamations of affection and delight, and repeating all her impetuous caresses.
“It seems to me that you love me a little, Nettie?” said he, in the same sad tone.
“Love you a little, godfather! Oh! just open your cloak and take me inside next to you. Oh! just unbutton your coat, and button me up inside of that, too. I love you well enough to let you swallow me, godfather,” exclaimed the imp, nestling close to him with her arms about his neck, her head tucked into his bosom, and wriggling with delight.
“Yes, you do love me—disinterestedly—poor, forsaken child! And you are the only thing on earth that does love me,” said he, folding both arms closely about her.
All this took place in a very few minutes, while Miss Joe was rising in her corner, setting aside her wheel, smoothing down her apron, and coming forward to meet her visitor, saying:
“Nettie, jump down this moment, and don’t trouble the ‘gentleman.’” But Nettie clung tighter, and General Garnet held her closer. “General Garnet, sir, it is an unexpected honor to see you here. Pray, come to the fire and sit down. Hugh, shut that door, and set a chair for the general, and throw more brush on the fire. General, do sit down, and don’t let that wild child bother you so. Come down, Nettie, I say.”
“I sha’n’t, granny!”
“Never mind, Miss Joe, I like to have her here,” said General Garnet, throwing off his cloak, seating himself in a large armchair at the fire, and seating Nettie on his knee. “Well, my old friend, how does fate use you nowadays?” he finally asked of the old lady.
“Oh, sir, very well, indeed; fust-rate, I thank you,” answered proud Miss Joe.
“I am very glad to hear it,” commented her visitor, with one arm still clasping Nettie, while he glanced sarcastically around the room.