"No! Say: 'God strike me dead and condemn me eternally to the everlasting flames of hell if I ever tell!" This entailed quick sobriety, though only benevolence was in the face above him.

The jig-step stopped, and the boy pondered, frightened.
"Have I got to say that ?" Mr.Carewe produced a bank-bill about which the boy beheld a halo.
Clearly this was his day; heaven showed its approval of his conduct by an outpouring of imperishable riches.

And yet the oath misliked him; there was a savor of the demoniacal contract; still that was to be borne and the plunge taken, for there fluttered the huge sum before his dazzled eyes.

He took a deep breath.

"'God strike me dead' "-- he began, slowly--"' if I ever '-- " "No.