But she was not without courage.
"And if I did kiss him—what then?" she asked defiantly. "I'll kiss as I please."
"Will you?" He caught at her wrist but she eluded him.
"Yes, I will. What right have you to tell me what I shall do or not do? I'll choose my friends as I please and kiss them as I please, Chan or anyone!"
She had not gauged his temper. Perhaps she hadn't read the meaning in his eyes. Perhaps she thought that she could elude him or that the fact that she was on her own land gave her a fancied sense of security.
"You'll not," he cried.
"I will. What right have you to question me? You can amuse yourself with Una."
"Stop!" he thundered.
But she had found her spirit and her confidence in her ability to win him to gentleness by one means or another was returning to her. She was bold now but prepared to melt if the need required it.
"I will not stop," she cried. "You and Una. What right have you to criticize me for what you yourself—"