“’Deed, I won’t, godfather!”
“Won’t! Why?”
“’Cause I don’t feel like it, one bit.”
“Don’t feel like it! Well, then, now what shall I give my little Nettie for a good, hearty hug and kiss—say? Shall it be a pony, or a little carriage, or a great wax doll, or what? Come! say now. What shall it be?”
“Nothing, godfather. You will give me all them things, anyhow, ’cause you promised them to me if I’d come and live ’long o’ you. But I aint sure that I will take any of them—and I aint even sure that I shall stay.”
General Garnet laughed aloud, and said:
“Very well! if you won’t come and give me a good, hearty hug and kiss, neither for free love nor bribery, I can come and give you one.” And he went toward her.
Nettie ran, flew up the stairs, and from the first landing looked down to see if she was pursued, and said:
“No, you mustn’t, indeed, godfather. I had rather anyone hit me a hard lick right in the face than kiss me when I don’t want to be kissed. And I don’t want to be kissed by you, godfather. I wouldn’t kiss you hardly to save your life.”
And having said this, Nettie fled the rest of the way upstairs. Hero was already there with a light to take charge of her.