“Must I really promise?”
“Yes.”
“It seems such an awful lot to promise, and I am afraid. You know, I am not old and I might forget. It’s difficult to remember that you’re not to talk of the people you love. Why must I do it?”
“Well, Piers, I thought it would be fun, but you need not if you dislike it. I cannot take you to my mother if you do not, that’s all. I’ll have to send her back to Cornwall. She’s a very amusing old lady, and you’d like her.”
“Oh, I’ll promise then,” said the child.
“Kiss me, Piers, on each cheek, and then make me the promise very solemnly.”
“If it’s going to be solemn I’d better kneel down and pray to God to help me to keep it,” said the boy.
“You can do that by and by when you say your prayers, but not now. Kiss me and promise.”
“I promise,” said the child.
“That’s my brave little lad. Now I will take you and show you to my mother.”