"So very young?"
"Why—" I began, greatly taken aback. "Indeed, I—that is—"
But here she laughed and then she sighed, and sighing, shook her head.
"Poor boy!" said she, "poor boy!" And, when I would have retorted, she stopped me with the sponge.
"Your mouth is cut," said she, after a while, "and there is a great gash in your brow."
"But the water feels delicious!" said I.
"And your throat is all scratched and swollen!"
"But your hands are very gentle and soothing!"
"I don't hurt you, then?"
"On the contrary, the—the pain is very trifling, thank you."