I'm your brother Teddy," repeated the boy patiently;
and then, to change the subject, added coaxingly, "And what's the
pretty name you called yourself, darlint?"
"I'm Cherrytoe,--Cherrytoe that dances so pretty. Don't you hear, you
great naughty lady?--Cherrytoe, Cherrytoe, Cherrytoe!"
The wild scream in which the name was repeated woke even tired Mrs.
Ginniss, who started upright, crying,--
"What's it, what's it, Teddy? Ochone! what ails the crather?"
"It's only her name she's telling, mother; and sure it's a pretty
one. It's Cherrytoe."
"And what sort of a quare name is that for a christened child? Sure
we'll call it Cherry; for wunst I heerd of a lady as was called that
way," said Mrs. Ginniss.
"Yes, we'll call her Cherry, little sister Cherry," said Teddy,
delighted with the promise implied in his mother's words of keeping
the child for her own. "And, mother," added he, "mind you don't be
telling the doctor nor any one that she ain't your own, or maybe
they'll take her away to the 'sylum or somewheres, whether we'd like
it or not: and, if they do, I'll run off to sea; I will, by ginger!"
"Whisht, thin, with your naughty words, Teddy Ginniss! Didn't I bate
ye enough whin ye wor little to shtop ye from swearin'?"
"Ginger ain't swearing," replied Teddy positively.
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