Liane had to confess the truth about the beauty contest, and, as soon as the old woman took it in, she cried furiously:
"And you dared to spend that money for finery, you vain hussy?"
"It was my own, granny," Liane answered.
"Where is the rest of it? Give me every penny that is left, before I beat you black and blue!" raged the old termagant.
"Granny, you promised never to beat me again if I would stay and work for you in your old age," reminded Liane.
"I don't care what I promised! Give me the rest of the money before I kill you!" hissed the savage creature, clutching Liane's arm so tight that she sobbed with pain.
"Let go, or I'll call for help!"
"Dare to do it, and I'll choke you before any one comes!" winding her skinny claws about the fair white throat.
Liane felt as if her last hour had come, and she was so unhappy she did not greatly care, but she struggled with the old harpy, and succeeded in throwing her off, while she said rebelliously: