“I don’t know who goose may be,” replied the fairy form, as she tossed about Jack’s waving locks; “you must love only me; promise me that before I am relieved.”
“What, have you got the first watch, as well as me?” replied Jack.
“I am on duty just now, but I shall not be so long. We southerly winds are never kept long in one place; some of my sisters will probably be sent here soon.”
“I don’t understand what you talk about,” replied Jack. “Suppose you tell me who you are, and what you are, and I’ll do all I can to keep awake; I don’t know how it is, but I’ve felt more inclined to go to sleep since you have been fanning me about, than I did before.”
“Then I will remain by your side while you listen to me. I am, as I told you, a wind—”
“That’s puzzling,” said Jack, interrupting her.
“My name is ‘South West and by West three-quarters West.’”
“Yes, and a very long name it is. If you wish me to remember you, you should have had a shorter one.”
This ruffled the wind a little, and she blew rather sharp into the corner of Jack’s eye,—however, she proceeded,—
“You are a sailor, and of course you know all the winds on the compass by name.”