“How was I to tell? Your face was so deceptive.”
“Maybe so is my tongue. I was only speaking in fun. Let me out for one hour. Lend me twopence, and I will return, having spoken to no one, and in the right frame for being submissive.”
For a short time he was silent. At last he said:
“Promise me faithfully you will return.”
“I promise you most faithfully.”
“Within the hour?”
“Yes.”
“You understand perfectly that my reason for bringing you back is not for any personal gratification I should derive from it. It is simply so that you may not obtain any great or particular pleasure from having a prayer perfected.”
“You speak plainly enough for the dullest mind.”
“I’m glad. Now you may go. And remember, come back if you have any sense of gratitude.”