But here suddenly Florry's lips began to quiver, and she gave vent to a small howl of anguish.
“You ain't bit by a trant'ler nor nuthin'?” said Johnny anxiously. “Hush up!”
“N—o—o! But”—
“But what?” said Johnny.
“Mar said I MUST tell! Mar said I was to fin' out where you get the truly gold! Mar said I was to get you to take me,” howled Florry, in an agony of remorse.
Johnny gasped. “You Injin!” he began.
“But I won't—Johnny!” said Florry, clutching his leg frantically. “I won't and I sha'n't! I ain't no Injin!”
Then, between her sobs, she told him how her mother and Mr. Staples had said that she was to ask Johnny the next time they met to take her where they found the “truly gold,” and she was to remember where it was and to tell them. And they were going to give her a new dolly and a hunk of gingerbread. “But I won't—and I sha'n't!” she said passionately. She was quite pale again.
Johnny was convinced, but thoughtful. “Tell 'em,” he said hoarsely, “tell 'em a big whopper! They won't know no better. They'll never guess where.” And he briefly recounted the wild-goose chase he had given the minister.
“And get the dolly and the cake,” said Florry, her eyes shining through her tears.