All this being so, his mother, or even his sister, Betty, would at once
have enquired, "Why don't you take your own Bible to church?" But somehow
Nanna thought it best not to put this question, for a lie, shocking on
any day, is more shocking than usual, or so she thought, if uttered on a
Sunday. So, after a moment's hesitation, she replied: "Certainly, Master
Timmy, if such is your wish. But I trust you will be very careful with
it, my dear."
"I will be very, very careful!" he exclaimed. "And I will bring it
straight back to you up here after church."
He threw her a grateful look. He did more, and Nanna felt amply rewarded
as he climbed up on her bed and, putting his arms round her neck, kissed
her on each cheek.
"I hope," she said impressively, "that you are going to be a good boy in
church--a boy that Nurse can be proud of."
Nanna never called herself "Nanna" to the children.
"I am always very good in church," cried Timmy, offended. "I don't
see why you should go and spoil everything by saying that!" With
these cryptic words he slid off the bed, taking with him the large
old-fashioned Bible which always lay by Nanna's bedside.
Dolly, and Rosamund, who was Dolly's stable-companion, were attending the
service held by Dolly's fiance, Lionel Barton, in the next parish.
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