The man looked with surprise and perplexity from the self-constituted little mistress to the master. And General Garnet, in some perversity of mood, exclaimed fiercely:
“Well, sir! Why do you pause? Did you hear Miss Seabright’s order?”
“Yes, sir, but——”
“Go and obey it, then. Do you wait for me to tell you that her commands here are only second to my own?”
“Yes, why don’t you go along when I tell you that the good-looking gentleman is in a great hurry? What makes you look so queer?” exclaimed Nettie, stamping with impatience, but not with ill-humor.
The man bowed and withdrew.
Again Dr. Hardcastle sought to free himself from his loving little captor, but Nettie clung to him like a very nettle, or an opossum to a tree, exclaiming:
“No, sir, you mustn’t go; you shan’t go, till the wine comes.”
And before he could get away the wine and sandwiches arrived. As the waiter walked straight up the room and set the refreshments upon the table, General Garnet turned coldly to Dr. Hardcastle, saying:
“My little daughter invites you to take something. Will you do so, sir?”