“Upon my word I don’t remember, Precious. Yes, I do, though. Wasn’t it one of these beau⁠—tiful tresses?” with his caressing hand upon her hair.

“Wasn’t it, too!” returned Bella, pretending to pout. “Upon my word! Do you know, sir, that the fortune-teller would give five thousand guineas (if it was quite convenient to him, which it isn’t) for the lovely piece I have cut off for you? You can form no idea, sir, of the number of times he kissed quite a scrubby little piece⁠—in comparison⁠—that I cut off for him . And he wears it, too, round his neck, I can tell you! Near his heart!” said Bella, nodding. “Ah! very near his heart! However, you have been a good, good boy, and you are the best of all the dearest boys that ever were, this morning, and here’s the chain I have made of it, Pa, and you must let me put it round your neck with my own loving hands.”