But, Bob, I can't go to-night, nor any other night just about this time; because I made a promise that I'd do something else, at exactly half-past eight, and that nothing in the world should hinder me if I could help it; and it can't be far from half-past eight now." Bob eyed him curiously.

"Tip, you're the oddest fellow born, I do believe," he said at last "Is it lessons ?" "No, it's nothing about lessons." "Couldn't I _help_ you to do it ?" "Yes," said Edward, after a thoughtful silence; "you _could_ help me better than any one else, only you won't." "Well, now," Bob answered earnestly, "as sure as I'm alive, I will, if you'll tell me what it is; I'll help you this very night." "Do you promise ?" asked Edward.
"Yes, I do, out and out; and when I promise a thing through and through, why, _you_ know, Tip Lewis, that I do it." "Well," said Edward, as he tried the door to see that all was safe before leaving, "then I'll tell you.

Every night, at exactly half-past eight, I go to my room and ask God over and over again to make you want to be a Christian." Not a single word did Bob answer to this; he took long strides up the street by the side of Edward in the direction of Mr.Minturn's, never once speaking until they had reached the door, and stood waiting to be let in; then he said, "Tip, that's mean." "What is ?" "To get a fellow to promise what he can't do." "I have not.

Don't you want to be a Christian ?" "No; I can't say that I'm particular about it." "But that's too silly to believe.

You need a friend to help you about as badly as any one I know of, and when you can have one for the asking, why shouldn't you want Him?
Besides, I didn't say _make_ you a Christian, anyhow; I said make you _want_ to be one.