until something happens. And if you go--now--"

At the choking throb in her throat and the sudden quiver that came
to her lips, Jolly Roger jumped up for the coffee pot, though his
cup was still half full.

"I won't go, Nada," he cried, trying to laugh. "I promise--cross
my heart and hope to die! I won't go--until you tell me I can."

And then, feeling that something had almost gone wrong for a
moment, Peter yipped from his nest in the bunk, and the gladness
in Nada's eyes thanked Jolly Roger for his promise when he came
back with the coffee pot. Standing behind her, he made pretense of
refilling her cup, though she had scarcely touched it, and all the
time his eyes were looking at her beautiful head, and he saw again
the dampness in her hair.

"What happened in the creek, Nada?" he asked.

She told him, and at the mention of his name Peter drew his
bristling little head erect, and waited expectantly. He could see
Jolly Roger's face, now staring and a bit shocked, and then with a
quick smile flashing over it; and when Nada had finished, Jolly
Roger leaned a little toward her in the lampglow, and said,

"You've got to promise me something, Nada. 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