"'Yes, anything.'
"'All right, old 'un. I'll choo it over.' Here Sophy dropped her voice, and asked, 'Is Aunt outside?'
"'Yes. Can you keep a secret?'
"'Try me,' said Sophy, holding out the little finger of her left hand.
"'What am I to do with this?'
"'Pinch my nail as 'ard as you can. Never mind 'urting me. As 'ard as ever you can.
"Our reporter complied, and Sophy went audibly through the entire alphabet, from A to Y Z.
"'There,' said Sophy, 'did I scream when I came to O?'
"'You did not,' said our reporter, remembering the child's game. 'You bore it like a brick.'
"'Don't that show I can keep a secret?'