---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Clovis, do you swear that you don’t mind…"
description: "\"“Clovis, do you swear that you don’t mind staying here as Master of Westwood? Do you absolutely swear it?” “I swear it.” Finn, as he walked back with h..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc7/eva-ibbotson-2965_finn_clovis-do-you-swear-that-you-don-t-mind_3053156.jpg"
---

#  Clovis, do you swear that you don’t mind staying here as…

![“Clovis, do you swear that you don’t mind staying here as Master of Westwood? Do you absolutely swear it?” “I swear it.” Finn, as he walked back with his friend to the station, seemed to be made of something quite different. Not muscle and bone--feathers and air…and lightness. He did not actually…” quote by Eva Ibbotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc7/eva-ibbotson-2965_finn_clovis-do-you-swear-that-you-don-t-mind_3053156.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc7/eva-ibbotson-2965_finn_clovis-do-you-swear-that-you-don-t-mind_3053156.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc7/eva-ibbotson-2965_finn_clovis-do-you-swear-that-you-don-t-mind_3053156.jpg)

> ““Clovis, do you swear that you don’t mind staying here as Master of Westwood? Do you absolutely swear it?” “I swear it.” Finn, as he walked back with his friend to the station, seemed to be made of something quite different. Not muscle and bone--feathers and air…and lightness. He did not actually intend to fly, because that would have been showing off, but he could have done so if he’d wanted to. “You’ll never know what you’ve done for me,” he said as they reached the gates of the level crossing. “If there’s anything you want--” Clovis grinned. “Can I have Maia when she’s grown up?” Finn’s smile vanished in an instant. “No,” he said. “Oh well…””

[Eva Ibbotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-ibbotson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Finn shows willingness to sacrifice personal desire for others, revealing hidden depth and humility.

**In simple terms:** Finn puts others before himself.

Key Takeaway

Value selflessness.

Themes

selflessness humility friendship

Mood

reflective empathetic

Type

literary character‑driven

When to use this quote

- making promises
- supporting friends
- personal sacrifice

Key Concepts

character development altruism

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance personal goals with helping others?
- When is self‑sacrifice harmful?

A Different Perspective

May be misinterpreted as weakness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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> [“Maia had thought that having Finn with them would make it easier--at least they could all be miserable together--but it didn’t. Finn had disappeared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-ibbotson/maia-had-thought-that-having-finn-with-them-would-make-it-easier-at/)

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> [“It was the Indian side of Finn that had taken over when he found her in the wood. That managed to carry her to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-ibbotson/it-was-the-indian-side-of-finn-that-had-taken-over-when-he-found-her/)

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Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens

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