"Johannes and I are husband and wife."
Markus nodded, without appearing at all surprised.
"Will you join us in truth, Markus?" asked Johannes.
"Can I give truth, Johannes, where it is not?" asked Markus.
"That is not what I mean," said Johannes, in confusion; "but I will promise to be true to her, in the sense you mean."
"Consider your words, Johannes. A promise is a prophecy. Who can prophesy without full knowledge? This man beside me here promised not to drink. He intended not to; but what is his promise worth, without knowledge? Have you knowledge of your lasting faith? Then say, 'I desire to be true,' and show it. But make no promises; for whoever makes an idle promise is guilty; and whoever keeps a false promise is more guilty than he who breaks it."
Then said Marjon to Johannes: "I do not wish you to make any promises, but I want your loyalty. If you will not remain true without promises, I do not wish them. Can you love only because you have promised to? For such love as that I would not thank you."
"Then I will say that I feel true, so far as I know myself," said Johannes, "and I will promise that I will do everything in my power to remain true."
"That is more considerately said," added Markus.
"But where we are to set up housekeeping I cannot yet see—he a piccolo, and I only a housemaid! That doesn't bring in much. I think we shall yet fetch up in a tingel-tangel."[1]