The children were silent for a moment, and then Murtagh said:
"But I can't help it. He puts me in such a rage."
"Yes," said Nessa; "but I think you ought not to let yourself be put so easily in a rage. It is not worthy of you. When we were on the mountain you promised to try to be gentle and kind. You promised all together. And the chief ought to watch over his followers, oughtn't he? He ought to see that they keep their promises, and he ought to try to keep them out of trouble. But you did not do that; you came down from the mountain where you promised, and you broke the promise yourself, and you made all the others break it, too. Now Mr. Plunkett will be angry with them, and Pat O'Toole will be in trouble."
The defiant look faded out of Winnie's face, and Murtagh looked abashed as for the first time he remembered the promise he had made.
"I quite forgot," he murmured.
"I did not think you would have forgotten so soon," said Nessa.
The quiet reproach was more bitter to Murtagh than any scolding.
"I did mean to remember it always—always," he said. "But he makes me forget everything. Oh, how I hate him!"
"I don't think that's having 'Peace and goodwill,'" remarked Rosie.
"I can't help it," said Murtagh, in despair, looking up at Nessa; "that's just how it always comes. But I will do anything you tell me. I will—beg his pardon, if you like, because I was in earnest. I did mean to remember."