"'What beautiful hair you have!' said he. 'There's one thing certain: if you were to adopt the headdress of noble women, you would not have to resort, as they do, to all sorts of devices for lengthening your hair.'
"The young girl gave a shriek and turned round; she saw Nagato's very wide open eyes fixed upon her.
"'Mother!' she exclaimed, 'these are no blind men!'
"The mother fell flat on the floor; and surprise taking away all her senses, she made no effort to rise, but began to utter yells of rare shrillness.
"The father ran in in a fright.
"As for me, I gave free vent to my mirth, and rolled on the ground, unable to hold in longer. To my great surprise, the Prince of Nagato threw himself at the workman's feet.
"'Forgive us,' said he. 'Your daughter and I want to be married; and as I have no money, I resolved to follow the custom of the country and carry her off, to avoid wedding expenses. According to custom also, you must forgive us, after playing the stem parent for a little while.'
"'I marry that man!' said the girl; 'but I don't know him in the least.'
"'You think my daughter would take a scamp like you fora husband?" cried the father. 'Be off! out of the house in a trice, if you don't want to be acquainted with my fists.'
"The sound of his angry voice began to attract a crowd before the house. Nagato gave a long-drawn whistle.