---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nettie, is that short for Annette?\" Dr…"
description: "\"“Nettie, is that short for Annette?\" Dr. Carlyle asked. \"It's short for Nettle.\" Nettie hated the way her voice quavered as she shivered in the office ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/ellen-herrick-27561_nettie-sparrow_nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carl_3027206.jpg"
---

#  Nettie, is that short for Annette?" Dr. Carlyle asked…

![“Nettie, is that short for Annette?&quot; Dr. Carlyle asked. &quot;It's short for Nettle.&quot; Nettie hated the way her voice quavered as she shivered in the office gown. &quot;Stinging nettle was the only thing that soothed my mother's hives when she was carrying me.” quote by Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/ellen-herrick-27561_nettie-sparrow_nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carl_3027206.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/ellen-herrick-27561_nettie-sparrow_nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carl_3027206.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/ellen-herrick-27561_nettie-sparrow_nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carl_3027206.jpg)

> ““Nettie, is that short for Annette?" Dr. Carlyle asked. "It's short for Nettle." Nettie hated the way her voice quavered as she shivered in the office gown. "Stinging nettle was the only thing that soothed my mother's hives when she was carrying me.””

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A child’s nickname and a mother’s remedy reveal comfort in nature amid illness.

**In simple terms:** Nature’s cure comforts a sick mother.

Key Takeaway

Seek simple, natural comforts.

Themes

family healing nature

Mood

reflective warm

Type

narrative emotional

When to use this quote

- hospital stay
- family bonding
- personal reflection

Key Concepts

symbolism comfort memory

Questions to Reflect On

- What personal rituals soothe you?
- How do nicknames shape identity?

A Different Perspective

The story may romanticize folk remedies.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Nettle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nettle/)

## Related quotes

> [“Sometimes it’s like watching a wasp land on a stinging nettle: someone’s going to get stung and you don’t care.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/sometimes-it-s-like-watching-a-wasp-land-on-a-stinging-nettle-someone/)

[Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/)

> [“The girls seemed unconcerned and went about their days, each as lovely in their own way as the flowers they tended. Sorrel's black hair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/the-girls-seemed-unconcerned-and-went-about-their-days-each-as-lovely/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Sorrel always thought herself happy in the little village by the sea. She was content among her flowers and specimen trees, the extraordinary roses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/sorrel-always-thought-herself-happy-in-the-little-village-by-the-sea/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“The sisters were all gifted gardeners so Sorrel wasn't terribly worried about her beloved flowers. Patience's herbs were in fine form, Nettie's fruits and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/the-sisters-were-all-gifted-gardeners-so-sorrel-wasn-t-terribly/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Nettie set out a loaf of sourdough bread from Baker's Way Bakers, a wodge of runny Camembert, and a container of leftover lamb, rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/nettie-set-out-a-loaf-of-sourdough-bread-from-baker-s-way-bakers-a/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Just as Patience read the people in Granite Point, searching for the troubled bits in their bodies or hearts, and Nettie collected the harvest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/just-as-patience-read-the-people-in-granite-point-searching-for-the/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [What a time herbs and weeds, and such things could talk, A man in his garden one day did walk, Spying a nettle green…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-heywood/what-a-time-herbs-and-weeds-and-such-things-could-talk-a-man-in-his/)

[John Heywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-heywood/)

> [“With the exercise of a little care, the nettle could be made useful; it is neglected and it becomes hurtful. It is exterminated. How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/with-the-exercise-of-a-little-care-the-nettle-could-be-made-useful-it/)

[Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/)

> [Tender-handed stroke a nettle, And it stings you for your pains; Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hill/tender-handed-stroke-a-nettle-and-it-stings-you-for-your-pains-grasp-2/)

[Aaron Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hill/)

> [Grip the nettle firmly and it will become a stick with which to beat your enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/grip-the-nettle-firmly-and-it-will-become-a-stick-with-which-to-beat/)

[Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/)

> [The world's a nettle; disturb it, it stings: Grasp it firmly, it stings not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/the-world-s-a-nettle-disturb-it-it-stings-grasp-it-firmly-it-stings/)

[Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/)

> [“Tender-handed stroke a nettle, And it stings you, for your pains; Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tappenden/tender-handed-stroke-a-nettle-and-it-stings-you-for-your-pains-grasp/)

Michael Tappenden

> [The world is a nettle; disturb it, it stings. Grasp it firmly, it stings not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/the-world-is-a-nettle-disturb-it-it-stings-grasp-it-firmly-it-stings/)

[Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/)

> [Better be a nettle in the side of your friend than his echo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/better-be-a-nettle-in-the-side-of-your-friend-than-his-echo/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [“When the nettle is young, the leaves make excellent greens; when it grows old it has filaments and fibers like hemp and flax. Cloth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/when-the-nettle-is-young-the-leaves-make-excellent-greens-when-it/)

[Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/)

## More by Ellen Herrick

> [“The girls seemed unconcerned and went about their days, each as lovely in their own way as the flowers they tended. Sorrel's black hair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/the-girls-seemed-unconcerned-and-went-about-their-days-each-as-lovely/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“She leaned in to smell the apricot-tinted rose whose petals had just unfolded into a ruffled cup. The scents of lemon, myrrh, and peach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/she-leaned-in-to-smell-the-apricot-tinted-rose-whose-petals-had-just/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Sorrel watched fascinated as Delphine set out a row of glass bowls and filled them with all the ingredients for her meal. On one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/sorrel-watched-fascinated-as-delphine-set-out-a-row-of-glass-bowls/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Patience drifted in the garden, her dress draping softly off one shoulder and her hair falling across her back like blood in the shadows.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/patience-drifted-in-the-garden-her-dress-draping-softly-off-one/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Like their mother, Honor Sparrow, dead now for twenty-some years- gone on the very day her youngest daughter, Impatiens, arrived- the sisters had all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/like-their-mother-honor-sparrow-dead-now-for-twenty-some-years-gone/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“When everyone arrived at the formal garden, lunch had been laid out on the terrace by unseen hands. Bowls of strawberries and frosty buckets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/when-everyone-arrived-at-the-formal-garden-lunch-had-been-laid-out-on/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Just as Patience read the people in Granite Point, searching for the troubled bits in their bodies or hearts, and Nettie collected the harvest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/just-as-patience-read-the-people-in-granite-point-searching-for-the/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Years passed with nothing to show in a land once so enchanted that bees and butterflies slept safe in the blossoms after their nectar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/years-passed-with-nothing-to-show-in-a-land-once-so-enchanted-that/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“The Sparrow Sisters' roses still bloomed on New Year's Day, their scent rich and warm even when snow weighted their petals closed. When customers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/the-sparrow-sisters-roses-still-bloomed-on-new-year-s-day-their-scent/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“People came from far and wide to see the Italian Gardens and buy a honeycomb or damson jam in the farm shop. The wool…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/people-came-from-far-and-wide-to-see-the-italian-gardens-and-buy-a/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“It was as Frank said: the Sparrow Sisters Nursery had quite a reputation. Sally told Henry about the Nursery that was now a landmark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/it-was-as-frank-said-the-sparrow-sisters-nursery-had-quite-a/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Andrew sifted through the photos: lush, sprawling gardens of herbs and flowers, others dotted with crabapple trees, woodbine, and hawthorn- not that he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/andrew-sifted-through-the-photos-lush-sprawling-gardens-of-herbs-and/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Roses climbed the shed, entwined with dark purple clematis, leaves as glossy as satin. There were no thorns. Patience's cupboard was overflowing with remedies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/roses-climbed-the-shed-entwined-with-dark-purple-clematis-leaves-as/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Stories, news, past heartbreak, future happiness, all of these were to be shared by the person at the center of the tale.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/stories-news-past-heartbreak-future-happiness-all-of-these-were-to-be/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Nettie set out a loaf of sourdough bread from Baker's Way Bakers, a wodge of runny Camembert, and a container of leftover lamb, rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/nettie-set-out-a-loaf-of-sourdough-bread-from-baker-s-way-bakers-a/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

[Explore all 20 Ellen Herrick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

## More Nettie-sparrow quotes

> [“The girls seemed unconcerned and went about their days, each as lovely in their own way as the flowers they tended. Sorrel's black hair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/the-girls-seemed-unconcerned-and-went-about-their-days-each-as-lovely/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Just as Patience read the people in Granite Point, searching for the troubled bits in their bodies or hearts, and Nettie collected the harvest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/just-as-patience-read-the-people-in-granite-point-searching-for-the/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Nettie set out a loaf of sourdough bread from Baker's Way Bakers, a wodge of runny Camembert, and a container of leftover lamb, rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/nettie-set-out-a-loaf-of-sourdough-bread-from-baker-s-way-bakers-a/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“The sisters were all gifted gardeners so Sorrel wasn't terribly worried about her beloved flowers. Patience's herbs were in fine form, Nettie's fruits and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/the-sisters-were-all-gifted-gardeners-so-sorrel-wasn-t-terribly/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Sorrel always thought herself happy in the little village by the sea. She was content among her flowers and specimen trees, the extraordinary roses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/sorrel-always-thought-herself-happy-in-the-little-village-by-the-sea/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

Browse all 6 Nettie-sparrow quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Nettie, is that short for Annette?\" Dr. Carlyle asked. \"It's short for Nettle.\" Nettie hated the way her voice quavered as she shivered in the office gown. \"Stinging nettle was the only thing that soothed my mother's hives when she was carrying me.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ellen Herrick"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carlyle-asked-it-s-short-for/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Nettie-sparrow"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carlyle-asked-it-s-short-for/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/ellen-herrick-27561_nettie-sparrow_nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carl_3027206.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/ellen-herrick-27561_nettie-sparrow_nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carl_3027206.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f17/ellen-herrick-27561_nettie-sparrow_nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carl_3027206.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Nettie, is that short for Annette?\" Dr. Carlyle asked. \"It's short for Nettle.\" Nettie hated the way her…” — Ellen Herrick",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Ellen Herrick",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Nettie, is that short for Annette?\"...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carlyle-asked-it-s-short-for/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/nettie-is-that-short-for-annette-dr-carlyle-asked-it-s-short-for/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
