The manse kitchen was a bright place, and to see the minister's wife and to hear her talk was to Ranald pure delight.

But then, Hughie might tell, and that would be too awful to bear.
"Do, Ranald," pleaded Hughie.

"I'll not tell." "I am not so sure." "Sure as death!" Still Ranald hesitated.

Hughie grew desperate.
"God may kill me on the spot!" he cried, using the most binding of all oaths known to the boys.

This was satisfactory, and Ranald went.
But Hughie was not skilled in deceiving, and especially in deceiving his mother.