And never kill anything without a good reason for it.' 'Ma'am, I will go and fetch my bow and arrows, and you shall burn them yourself.' 'I have no fire that would burn your bow and arrows, Curdie.' 'Then I promise you to burn them all under my mother's porridge pot tomorrow morning.' 'No, no, Curdie.

Keep them, and practice with them every day, and grow a good shot.

There are plenty of bad things that want killing, and a day will come when they will prove useful.

But I must see first whether you will do as I tell you.' 'That I will!' said Curdie.

'What is it, ma'am ?' 'Only something not to do,' answered the old lady; 'if you should hear anyone speak about me, never to laugh or make fun of me.' 'Oh, ma'am!' exclaimed Curdie, shocked that she should think such a request needful.
'Stop, stop,' she went on.