I don't wish it to be
known. I has my reasons, and _whatever_ happens, you are never to
tell. Ef you make me the promise true and faithful, why you shall have
the sweeties, and I'll stick up for you, and be your friend through
thick and thin. You'll have Dove for your friend, Miss Daisy, and I
can tell you he ain't a friend to be lightly put aside. But if you
ever tell--and however secret you do it, I have got little birds who
will whisper it back to me--why, then Dove will be your enemy. You
don't know what that means, and you won't like to know. I was my own
boy Tommy's enemy once, and I locked him up in the dark for
twenty-four hours, where no one could hear him screaming. Now, miss,
you had better make me your friend; I'm real desperate in earnest, so
you promise me."
Daisy's face had grown deadly white, her breath came in gasps, her
eyes were fixed on the cruel man.
"You promise me, miss?"
"Oh yes, Mr. Dove."
"That's right, missy. Now you say these words after me:--'Mr. Dove, I
promise never to tell as you came up to my room to give me the nice
sweeties. I'll never tell nobody in all the wide world, so help me,
God.'"
"Oh, I don't like that last part," said little Daisy.
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