"You must sign the pledge."
"Stuff and nonsense."
"Very well, if that's your final answer we will drop the subject."
"But, Tode, that's perfectly silly. Can't you trust a fellow unless he puts his name to a piece of paper like a baby? I don't drink, and I won't sell rum here. What more do you want?"
"Want you to say so on paper."
"What for?"
"To gratify me perhaps. It isn't a great deal to do. If you mean what you say you can have no serious objection to doing so."
"Yes, but I have. I don't approve of signing away my liberty in that style."
"Who has been saying that to you?" asked Theodore, gravely.
"Perhaps I said it myself."