"There was a reason why then; and there's a reason why now. Your father has been very unfortunate. We're here in a new place, and the less we make ourselves conspicuous the better."
"I see."
She thought: "Because Papa drinks Mamma and Roddy go proud and angry; but
I must stoop and hide. It isn't fair."
"You surely don't want," her mother said, "to make it harder for me than it is."
Tears. She was beaten.
"I don't want to make it hard for you at all."
"Then promise me you won't talk about religion."
"I won't talk about it to Mrs. Waugh."
"Not to anybody."
"Not to anybody who wouldn't like it. Unless they make me. Will that do?"