And you want me: you would wish to see me sometimes, really ?' 'I told you I did,' he replied impatiently.

'Sit on the settle and let me lean on your knee.

That's as mamma used to do, whole afternoons together.

Sit quite still and don't talk: but you may sing a song, if you can sing; or you may say a nice long interesting ballad--one of those you promised to teach me; or a story.

I'd rather have a ballad, though: begin.' Catherine repeated the longest she could remember.