Willy, the little scapegrace, was willing to promise anything.

He laughed and made light of it; it wasn't his fault if folks told stories about him; she couldn't be so foolish as to give ear to them.

London?
Oh, he should be all right in London! One or two fellows here were rather fast, there was no denying it; and they drew him with them; they were older than he, and ought to have known better.

Once away from Calne, they could have no more influence over him, and he should be all right.
She believed him; putting faith in the plausible words.

Oh, what trust can be so pure, and at the same time so foolish, as that placed by a mother in a beloved son! Mrs.Gum had never known but one idol on earth; he who now stood before her, lightly laughing at her fears, making his own tale good.