After he had gone Nettie remained standing in the hall so long that General Garnet came out to seek her. Having found her, he exclaimed: “Why do you linger so, my little Nettie? Come with me into the library, and let us go on with the pictures and stories.” “I don’t want to go back to the library with you, godfather.” “What! Don’t want to return with me and see the beautiful pictures, and hear the wonderful stories?” “No; I don’t care for the pictures, nor the stories, nor you, either, godfather. I want to go to my own room—and I wish you would call my maid.” “Whe-ew! How my little princess takes state upon herself! But I must say it becomes her—rarely. But why does she not care for pictures, stories, or godfather, either?” “Because, godfather, you treated the pleasant-spoken gentleman so meanly. I’m sure when I and Hugh and granny lived in the poor lodge, and had nothing to offer but persimmon beer and sour, knobby apples, we never treated our visitors so meanly. No, that we didn’t! Granny used to say, ‘Hospit—something or other—before everything’ which meant that it was a shame to treat well-behaved company meanly. And you treated the pleasant-spoken gentleman meanly. ’Deed, I thought he preached nice as the parson. But you treated him meanly—and I don’t want to have anything to do with you, and I won’t, either, have anything to do with you, godfather. I want my maid. Will you please to send her to me?” Piqued, amused, attracted by the naïve candor and courage of the fond but passionate child, General Garnet laughed and held out his arms, saying: “Oh, come to me, my little Nettie. Come and kiss me, and give me one of your tight hugs.” “’Deed, I won’t, godfather!” “Won’t! Why?” “’Cause I don’t feel like it, one bit.” “Don’t feel like it! Well, then, now what shall I give my little Nettie for a good, hearty hug and kiss—say? Shall it be a pony, or a little carriage, or a great wax doll, or what? Come! say now. What shall it be?” “Nothing, godfather. You will give me all them things, anyhow, ’cause you promised them to me if I’d come and live ’long o’ you. But I aint sure that I will take any of them—and I aint even sure that I shall stay.” General Garnet laughed aloud, and said: “Very well! if you won’t come and give me a good, hearty hug and kiss, neither for free love nor bribery, I can come and give you one.” And he went toward her. Nettie ran, flew up the stairs, and from the first landing looked down to see if she was pursued, and said: “No, you mustn’t, indeed, godfather. I had rather anyone hit me a hard lick right in the face than kiss me when I don’t want to be kissed. And I don’t want to be kissed by you, godfather. I wouldn’t kiss you hardly to save your life.” And having said this, Nettie fled the rest of the way upstairs. Hero was already there with a light to take charge of her.