'You called me?' asked he of Basil. His voice was so agreeable, and sounded so like that of an old acquaintance.
'I—I—don't know,' stammered the child.
'But you could not fall asleep, and you kept repeating—
' "Sleep, sleep, come to me.
Sleep, sleep, take me now.
Sleep, lull me into sleep." '
'Yes, Mr. Old Man, I have been repeating all this, but I did not mean to disturb you; it is hard to be under an obligation to any one. I am not afraid to be alone, Mr. Old Man.'
'Oh!' said the Old Man, smiling, 'where did you learn such words; of all things, as to be under an obligation? He! he! he!'
'No, no, Mr. Old Man; you see, I told Mrs. Lookina to go home. Why should I disturb you? You have your own business.'