She laughed a little short laugh, whilst her face clouded.
"I know it not at all. But I will tell you what I have seen."
"And that is——"
"I have seen a great toadstool spring up all in one night, after rain, so big, and so white, and so smooth, and so round,—and I knew its birth was so quick, and its growth was so strong, because it was a false thing that would poison all that should eat of it."
"Well?"
"Well—when men speak overquick and overfair, what is that but the toadstool that springs from their breath?"
"Who taught you so much suspicion?"
Her face darkened in anger.
"Suspicion? That is a thing that steals in the dark and is afraid. I am afraid of nothing."
"So it would seem."