The Jampot eyed him with a sudden sharp suspicion.

He was then and ever afterwards a very bad hand at a lie...
He would have taken the word back, he wanted to take it back--but something held him as though a stronger than he had placed his hand over his mouth.

His face flamed.
"You've truly cleaned them ?" she said.
"Yes, truly," he answered, his eyes on the ground.

Never was there a more obvious liar in all the world.
She said no more; he moved to the fireplace.

His joy was gone.