He shook his head.
“No. I can’t promise that.”
“Why?”
“That’s one of the things you couldn’t possibly understand.”
“But it’s such a little thing!”
“If I gave you that, I should indeed have nothing left. You would have all.”
It was true that she could not in the least understand. But she knew she could not move him.
“Then promise me,” she pleaded, “that you’ll not try it until you are quite, quite well!”
“Oh. I promise you that!” he replied, with a grim smile.