“This: that if you send me away you are likely to lose more than you bargain for.”
Now Jan stared at him perplexedly, but I smiled, for I guessed what was to come.
“What am I likely to lose,” he asked, “beyond my best horse and my felt hat? Allemachter! Do you want my span of black oxen also? Well, you shall have them if you like, for I should wish you to trek to your new home in England behind good cattle.”
“No,” answered Ralph coolly, “but I want your daughter, and if you send me away I think that she will come with me.”
CHAPTER VI.
THE COMING OF THE ENGLISHMEN
Now on hearing this Suzanne said, “Oh!” and sank back in her chair as though she were going to faint; but I burst out laughing, half because Ralph’s impertinence tickled me and half at the sight of my husband’s face. Presently he turned upon me in a fine rage.
“Be silent, you silly woman,” he said. “Do you hear what that mad boy says? He says that he wants my daughter.”
“Well, what of it?” I answered. “Is there anything wonderful in that? Suzanne is of an age to be married and pretty enough for any young man to want her.”
“Yes, yes; that is true now I come to think of it,” said Jan, pulling his beard. “But, woman, he says that he wants to take her away with him.”
“Ah!” I replied, “that is another matter. That he shall never do without my consent.”