“In calling you honest, you mean?”
“You are in truth a sweet rose, Mistress Lucette, but the thorns of your wit are sharp and draw blood.”
“They are meant to prevent snails and slugs from crawling too near me, Master Dauban.”
“I take all you say in good part.”
“In ‘good part.’ And what good part is there in you, I pray? I have never seen it.”
“I can be a firm friend.”
“To yourself, maybe.”
“And an ugly enemy, too, at times.”
Lucette looked him up and down, and her lip curled as she answered with almost savage contempt—
“Who has fallen so low as to fear you, Master Dauban? Have you been trounced by some scullion of the kitchen? You should beware how you offend any one with hands to strike with.”