"That would scarcely be wise," I replied stammeringly.
"With whom would you place me then?"
"I know an old squire who lives near him," I replied. "He would do anything for me."
She lifted her eyes to my face, and looked steadily at me.
"What is his name?" she asked.
I tried to utter Peter Trevisa's name, but I could not. Again she put a weight upon my tongue, just as when I stood close to her on the top of Endellion House. I mumbled some words indistinctly, and cursed myself for being such a fool. Why could I not brazen out the matter as I had intended? Was I to be again beaten by this chit of a girl?
She was silent for a few seconds; then she spoke again.
"Master Penryn, or whatever your name may be," she said, still keeping her eyes steadily upon me, "will you tell me why you have sought to help me away from the Killigrews?"
"Have not my actions told you?" I stammered.