“Yes, Mummie.”
He was not looking at her.
“I had to ask Grandpa to whip you the other day, Ces, but it made me very unhappy.”
“I’m so sorry, Mummie.” He had put his arms round her neck and was kissing her eagerly. She hugged him.
“Sweetheart! You know we had to do something to make you remember, and you will remember now, won’t you?”
“Yes. I didn’t cry when Grandpa hit me with his cane.”
“I know you didn’t, my own brave little man.”
“I wanted to scream out loud—it hurt so.”
She involuntarily tightened her hold round him.
“I was brave, wasn’t I, Mummie?” he asked her wistfully.