He placed a hand, nervous, and strong as steel, upon the boy's shoulder, and the clutch of his fingers made Jocelyn wince.
"Low though your father be fallen," said he sternly, "he has never yet broken his word.

I have pledged you mine, and to-morrow I shall set out to perform what I have promised.

I shall see you ere I start.

You will sleep here, will you not ?" Jocelyn shrugged his shoulders.
"It signifies little where I lie." Crispin smiled sadly, and sighed.
"You have no faith in me yet.

But I shall earn it, or"-- and his voice fell suddenly--"or rid you of a loathsome parent.