human
I hope, said Bellew at last,
gpt
I do sincerely hope that you 'tucked up' my nephew safe in bed,--you see--
human
Your nephew, indeed!
gpt
Our nephew, then; I ask because he tells me that he can't possibly sleep unless you go to 'tuck him up,'--and I can quite believe it.
human
Do you know, Mr. Bellew, I'm growing quite jealous of you, he can't move a step without you, and he is for ever talking, and lauding your numberless virtues!
gpt
But then--I'm only an uncle, after all, and if he talks of me to you, he talks of you to me, all day long.
human
Oh, does he!
gpt
And, among other things, he told me that I ought to see you when your hair is down, and all about you.
human
Oh!
gpt
Indeed, our nephew is much luckier than I, because I never had an aunt of my own to come and 'tuck me up' at night with her hair hanging all about her--like a beautiful cloak. So, you see, I have no boyish recollections to go upon, but I think I can imagine--
human
And what do you think of the Sergeant?
gpt
I like him so much that I am going to take him at his word, and call upon him at the first opportunity.
human
Did Aunt Priscilla tell you that he comes marching along regularly every day, at exactly the same hour?
gpt
Yes,--to see how the peaches are getting on!
human
For such a very brave soldier he is a dreadful coward, said Anthea, smiling,
gpt
Has he never--spoken to Miss Priscilla,--?
human
Never,--though, of course, she knows, and has done from the very first. I asked him once, why he had never told her what it was brought him so regularly,--to look at the peaches,--and he said, in his quick, sharp way: 'Miss Anthea,--can't be done, mam,--a poor, battered, old soldier,--only one arm,--no mam.'
gpt
I wonder if one could find just such another Sergeant outside Arcadia, said Bellew,
human
I wonder!