liECOLLECTIONS OF GEORGE CARTER. 65 



girl of about eighteen months old, and who ought to 

 have been in bed. The five minutes became ten, as 

 of course there were many things to tell, and questions 

 to be answered as well as asked, and while I was 

 telling the various events of the day, I saw signs, and 

 winks, and smiles passing between the old man and 

 the child — in fact a regular flirtation — and as I 

 knew he was very fond of children, and always 

 noticed mine when he met them in their walks, 

 I found out now this one was his especial 

 favourite. 



Well, all things must come to an end, and at lengthy 

 having told my budget of news and answered all the 

 inquiries as to who was out, what we had done, where 

 we found, checked, cast, &c., &c., and, of course, a full 

 explanation from the old huntsman ivhij the fox went 

 here, or did not go there, just as if he had seen it all, 

 I said, " Now, old friend, I want to get into some fresh 

 clothes, and then dinner, so I'll just open the door 

 for you," and suiting the action to the word I went 

 out and opened the hall door for him, and then I 

 heard from the sitting-room — 



" Oh, yes, ma'am, a very nice child ; oh, a beautiful 

 little child. Yes, my dear, you are a very beautiful 

 little child. Well, good night, ma'am. Good night, 

 my dear." 



F 



