She discovered, very soon, that Mary Kitson was, by nature, truthful and obedient, that she had a great fear of God, and that she loved her parents.

Here was fine material to work upon.

She began by insisting on little lies.
"Say our clocks were all wrong, and you couldn't know what the time was." "Oh, but----" "Yes, say it." "Please, Sarah." "Say it.

Otherwise I'll be punished too.

Mind, if you don't say it, I shall know." There was the horrible threat that effected so much.