A burning blush flamed up over the young creature's cheek as she answered:
"Yes, sir, that was the worst of all; that finally drove me to putting on boy's clothes."
"Let us hear all about it."
"Oh, sir, I can't—I—How can I? Well, being always exposed, sleeping outdoors, I was often in danger from bad boys and bad men," said Capitola, and, dropping her head upon her breast and covering her crimson cheeks with her hands, for the first time she burst into tears and sobbed aloud.
"Come, come, my little man—my good little woman, I mean! don't take it so to heart. You couldn't help it!" said Old Hurricane, with raindrops glittering even in his own stormy eyes.
Capitola looked up, with her whole countenance flashing with spirit, and exclaimed: "Oh! but I took care of myself, sir! I did, indeed, your honor! You mustn't, either you or the old gentleman, dare to think but what I did!"
"Oh, of course! of course!" said a bystander, laughing.
Old Hurricane sprang up, bringing his feet down upon the floor with a resound that made the great hall ring again, exclaiming:
"What do you mean by 'of course! of course!' you villain? Demmy! I'll swear she took care of herself, you varlet; and if any man dares to hint otherwise, I'll ram his falsehood down his throat with the point of my walking stick and make him swallow both!"
"Order! order!" said the clerk.