"Yes," said Mary, her heart beating fast and sending a deep flush into her cheeks.
"Because, you know, you are not bound to marry him," said the doctor sharply.
"Don't you think that a promise is binding?" asked Mary.
"Certainly not—that kind of a promise! Are you going to marry him just because you promised?"
"I have no wish to break my promise," said Mary.
"Because it's a promise, or because you want to marry him anyway and would, if you hadn't promised? Come, Mary, answer me!"
"I want to keep my promise," said Mary clearly, with a look of the most perfect obstinacy in her fair eyes.
The doctor was hot-tempered, and banged a book on his desk with his fist. But instantly he controlled himself, for he loved this exasperating child of his, and there was no one but himself to stand between her and harm—so he felt it.
"You mean," he said tenderly, "that you haven't any reason not to keep it?"
Mary assented.