If Jed Hawkins ever hits you again, or pulls your hair, or even threatens to do it--will you tell me ?" Nada hesitated.
"If you don't--I'll take back my promise, and won't stay," he added.
"Then--I'll promise," she said.

"If he does it, I'll tell you.

But I ain't--I mean I am not afraid, except for Peter.

Jed Hawkins will sure kill him if I take him back, Mister Roger.

Will you keep him here?
And--o-o-o-h!--if I could only stay, too--" The words came from her in a frightened breath, and in an instant a flood of color rushed like fire into her cheeks.