‘He is better,’ said the Uncle. ‘Please don’t cry. It is over now. But I must ask for a promise.’
‘We did keep the other promise,’ Charles reminded him.
‘I know you did. This is more comprehensive as well as more definite. I want you to promise me that you will not only refrain from administering your remedies internally, but that you will not make any external application of them to any of your friends—or enemies,’ he added hastily.
‘Not put them on to people’s outsides?—yes,’ murmured Caroline.
‘Without consulting me. If you wish to try any more experiments, the simple presentation of a symbolic bouquet should be enough. It was enough in my case. You remember.’
‘Of course we promise,’ said every one.
‘Oh, uncle, you are kind not to be crosser!’
‘We don’t really mean to do wrong.’
‘But you can’t do right without it turning out wrong sometimes. You can’t just do nothing,’ said Caroline; ‘though really it’s the only safe way. Things do so turn out wrong that you didn’t think would.’