“Dear girl, be not angry if I question you.”
“While those girls were skipping, dancing and twirling, with other unseemly manners, you walked quietly; why, dear girl?”
“Because, great sir, all girls are their parents’ merchandise. If in leaping and twirling I were to injure myself, I must be kept by my parents while I live, for none would woo me.”
“Good, dear girl. I understand. Now, in entering the water your companions stripped themselves but you went clothed and modest. And why?”
“O uncle, maidens must be shame-faced. It is not well for them to be seen unclothed.”
“Dear girl, there was none to see.”
“Uncle, you saw.”
“Good, dear girl. And again, the others neglected their attendants, but you fed yours first. And why?”
“For this reason, uncle; we have easy days and feastful; they, hard work always.”
“Good, dear girl. And why in wading through the water did you keep your shoes on?”