I won't let you drop." But Nan still hesitated.

She was caught by sudden panic.

She felt that she couldn't let Peter--Peter, of all men in the world--carry her in his arms! "It isn't so deep higher up, is it ?" she suggested.

"I could wade there." "No, it's not so deep, but the river bed is very stony.

You'd cut your feet to pieces." "Then I suppose you'll have to carry me," she agreed at last, with obvious reluctance.
"I promise I won't drop you," he assured her quietly.
He gathered her up into his arms, and as he lifted her the rough tweed of his coat brushed her cheek.