"You hurt my arm!" she said plaintively, looking up at him with the long pathetic gaze of a gentle helpless animal undeservedly put in pain.
Sholto perforce released the pressure on her arm. She instantly put both hands behind her.
"You did not hurt me at all—hear you that, Master Sholto," she cried, "and I do not love you—not that much, Sir Noble Bully!"
And she snapped her finger and thumb like a flash beneath his nose.
"Not that much!" she repeated viciously, and did it again. Sholto turned away sternly.
"You are nothing but a silly girl, and not worthy that any true man should either love or marry you!" he said, walking off in the direction of the castle.
Maud Lindesay looked after him a moment as if not believing her eyes and ears. Then, so soon as she made sure that he was indeed not coming back, she tripped quickly after him. He was taking long strides, and it required a series of small hops and skips to keep up with him.
"Not really, Sholto?" she said beseechingly, almost running beside him now. He walked so fast.
"Yes, madam, really!" said that young knight, still more sternly.
She took a little run to get a step in front of him, so that she might advantageously look up into his face.