"Yes, Poppet, what is it?"
"Thou didtht not come upstairs as thou didtht promise when the nuts were served...."
"Dearest, I could not. I was in talk with Sir Christopher."
"But thou didtht promise, and how oft have I heard thee say, 'A promise is a promise'?"
Elinor started from her chair to go toward the stair; but Father White stayed her with uplifted finger.
"Let me deal with him," he said under his breath; "'tis time the lad learned the difference between the failure which is stuff o' the conscience, and that which is the fault of circumstances." Then aloud, "Cecil, wilt thou close thine eyes and come down to me when thou hast counted a hundred?"
"Ay, that will I."
"Without fail?"
"Why, surely! There is naught I would love better than toathting my toeth by the great fire."