“We shall have plenty anon,” said Belle; “do you hear? it already begins to hiss upon the embers; that fire of ours will soon be extinguished.”
“It is not probable that we shall want it,” said I, “but we had better seek shelter: let us go into my tent.”
“Go in,” said Belle, “but you go in alone; as for me, I will seek my own.”
“You are right,” said I, “to be afraid of me; I have taught you to decline master in Armenian.”
“You almost tempt me,” said Belle, “to make you decline mistress in English.”
“To make matters short,” said I, “I decline a mistress.”
“What do you mean?” said Belle, angrily.
“I have merely done what you wished me,” said I, “and in your own style; there is no other way of declining anything in English, for in English there are no declensions.”
“The rain is increasing,” said Belle.
“It is so,” said I; “I shall go to my tent; you may come, if you please; I do assure you I am not afraid of you.”