"Yes, it is true!" exclaimed Bissula vehemently. "Don't deny it. She told me so."
"I wish to hear nothing about it, Bissula--chatterer!" said the grandmother reproachfully.
The girl bit her lips.
"Pshaw, he knew it; or he believed he knew it, as he believes it of all girls. And so it must seem to him and his companions that Bissula also (who, it is true, is neither rich nor beautiful--only Bissula, who is defiant and tameless), that I, too, instead of going to the marshes would rather flee to the Holy Mountain--to Adalo! But"--and now her eyes blazed with an almost menacing light--"you shall never boast of that!"
"But if I command?" warned the old woman.
"Then I'll run off to the swamps alone. Forgive me, dear, dear grandmother; but Suomar is my guardian, not you. Did he command? Speak!"
"He only advised," replied Adalo reluctantly.
"Then I am free! Advice may be followed or not. But know this: If you had lied--"
Adalo's face blanched.
"Insolent girl!" said the grandmother reprovingly.