“Peter,” he said, “not go dead—nohow.”
“Of course not,” said Aunt Phyllis. “He’s got too much sense. The idea!”
This was reassuring. But alone it was not enough.
“Joan not go dead,” he said. “No.”
“Certainly she shan’t,” said Aunt Phyllis and awaited further decisions.
“Pussy not go dead.”
“Not until ninety times nine.”
“Aunt Phyllis not go dead. Marewi not go dead.”
He reflected further. He tried, “Mummy and Daddy not go dead....”
Then after thought, “When are Daddy and Mummy coming back again?”