"He. 'Finest writing-paper? Are you mad?'
"She. 'Certainly not; but I believe you are a little out of your senses.'
"He. 'You covetous sea-cat, leave off raging among my papers! You shall not have my paper!'
"She. 'Miserly beast! I shall and will have the paper.'
"He. '"I shall"! Listen a moment. Let's see, now, how you will accomplish your will.' And the rough Bear held both my small hands fast in his great paws.
"She. 'You ugly Bear! You are worse than any of those that walk on four legs. Let me loose! Let me loose, else I shall bite you!' And as he would not let me loose I bit him. Yes, Maria, I bit him really on the hand, at which he only laughed scornfully and said: 'Yes, yes, my little wife, that is always the way of those who are forward without the power to do. Take the paper. Now, take it!'
"She. 'Ah! Let me loose! let me loose!'
"He. 'Ask me prettily.'
"She. 'Dear Bear!'
"He. 'Acknowledge your fault.'