“Yes, it’s the only one, and such a darlin’ it is, and so fond of me!” exclaimed Tottie.
“Ah, yes, wery small, but wery noisy an’ vicious,” remarked Mr Bones, with a sudden scowl, which fortunately his daughter did not see.
“O no, father; little Floppart ain’t vicious, though it is awful noisy w’en it chooses.”
“Well, Tot, I’d give a good deal to see that dear little Floppart, and make friends with it. D’you think you could manage to get it to follow you here?”
“Oh, easily. I’ll run an’ fetch it; but p’r’aps you had better come to the house. I know they’d like to see you, for they’re so kind to me.”
Mr Bones laughed sarcastically, and expressed his belief that they wouldn’t like to see him at all.
Just at that moment Miss Stivergill came round the turn of the lane and confronted them.
“Well, little Bones, whom have you here?” asked the lady, with a stern look at Mr Bones.
“Please, ma’am, it’s father. He ’appened to be in this neighbourhood, and came to see me.”
“Your father!” exclaimed Miss Stivergill, with a look of surprise. “Indeed!”