She did not look at him with the question; there was a quivering dimple in her red cheek that came and went.
"I'd like to know," said Rufus with simplicity.
"Would you, really?" Columbine polished the last plate vigorously and set it down. "The Minotaur," she said, in the tone of a schoolmistress delivering a lecture, "was a monster, half-bull, half-man, who lived in a place like the Spear Point Caves, and devoured young men and maidens. You live nearer to the Caves than any one else, don't you, Rufus?"
Again she ventured a darting glance at him. His look was still upon her, but its fiery quality was less apparent. He met the challenge with his slow, indulgent smile.
"Yes, I live there. I don't devour anybody. I'm not—that sort of monster."
Columbine shook her head. "I'm not so sure of that," she said. "But I dare say you'd tame."
"P'raps you'd like to do it," suggested Rufus.
It was his first direct overture, and Columbine, who had angled for it, experienced a thrill of triumph. But she was swift to mask her satisfaction. She tossed her head, and turned: "Oh, I've no time to waste that way," she said. "You must do your own taming, Mr. Minotaur. When you're quite civilised, p'raps I'll talk to you."
She was gone with the words, carrying her plates with her.
"She's a deal too pert," observed Mrs. Peck to the saucepan she was stirring. "It's my belief now that that Mr. Knight's been putting ideas into her head. She's getting wild; that's what she is."