“No,” said Nettie, “I like to stay here. Eric, see that boy look at you; I think he wants to speak.”
Eric looked around, and saw a boy of his own age steadfastly regarding him. When he caught Eric’s eye, he bowed and hastened forward, holding out his hand.
“Eric Hyde?” he said.
“Yes,” said Eric. “Do you know me?”
“I never saw you before; but I know you, for all that,” said the boy.
“How?” said Eric, astonished, and interested, too.
“I knew you by your voice. I used to live next door to you in New York. I was blind then, and auntie sent me out to Hamburg, to the famous oculist Dr. Francis. He has given me my sight, and I am going home alone. Auntie doesn’t know about it yet; she only knows that the operation was performed two months ago, and that Dr. Francis had no doubt of its success. Won’t she be surprised to see me walk into the parlor, and to hear the whole story from me?”
“Hurrah!” cried Eric, excitedly, tossing his cap high in the air.
“I remember you well,” said Nettie; “I am Nettie Hyde. Don’t you, Eric?”
“Yes,” said Eric. “I used to pity you so! Isn’t it just jolly!”