"Because I do not want you to believe I ever tell you what is not true. I do not think I could, if I tried."
"You reserve that privilege, then, for your other friends."
"Oh, no; I am never tempted to be untruthful with them."
"And are you so tempted in your relation with me?" he asked, a little sternly.
"Sometimes."
"Why, Medoline, you astonish me. Tell me what reason you have for being so tempted?"
"You make me afraid of you; that is my only reason," I murmured, trembling already with a touch of my natural fear of him.
"I am sorry to know that I stand in the relation of an ogre to you."
"You do not, and I never meant to tell you that. I am afraid of you. By and bye, when I get a little older, I do not think that I shall be; but you make me tell you everything."
"If that is the case I am surprised you have so little wrong-doing to confess. I believe you will ultimately convince me that a few of your sex have escaped the taint of their evil inheritance."