“We must be going, Fairy. See, the sun is setting,” said Jack, impatiently.
“Ah, it is no use your frowning about it, Jack Shelley. You may take her away now, but you mark my words, as sure as my name is Hursey, the prince will come and carry the fairies’ child away one of these days, in spite of all you can say or do to the contrary,” persisted the old woman, as Jack led Fairy off, feeling very much annoyed at her words.
“Old witch,” muttered Jack.
“Poor old thing! she means well, Jack,” laughed Fairy.
“I almost think she has meant mischief to you, Fairy, ever since that day after you first came to us, and I was left at home to watch Charlie, while mother took you to Mr. Leslie. I remember as well as if it were yesterday; she came in while you were gone, and ransacked the place to look for your clothes and things. If you had been in the cradle instead of Charlie, I am sure she would have stolen you.”
“Oh, Jack, how absurd you are! Well, at any rate, I am too big to be stolen now, so you might let me be civil to her.”
“Civil you can be, but, Fairy, promise me you will never go to her cottage, nor stop talking to her when you are alone,” said Jack.
“Well, I promise. I am not at all anxious to go to her very dirty hut, and mother very seldom lets me go out alone, except to and from the Rectory.”
“I only wish she did; here I have to go out with Fairy whenever she chooses, whether I like or not,” put in Charlie.
“But you always do like,” said Fairy, at which Jack frowned ominously.