"A dear old man!" said Diana, looking after him gentle-eyed.
"I wonder," said I, "I wonder what he meant by that talk regarding my
'head and heart'--"
"How should I know?"
"But what do you think?"
"That you'd better get in if you're goin' to!" Obediently I clambered
into the cart, whereupon Diana prodded the somnolent Diogenes into
motion.
"Where did you meet his l--that Ancient Person, Diana?"
"At the fair. Hooky Sam and two pals tried to rob him, an' him such a
poor, lonely old soul, only I stood 'em off, made 'em cut their stick,
I did."
"But he had a pistol--"
"What--him? Well if so, he didn't have t' use it, my little
_churi_ was enough."
"Indeed, you are far braver than I was, Diana--"
"Tush! There's few men as won't cut and run from a female if she's got
a knife--an' means t' use it."
"This was why he named you Penthesilea."
"Who's she?"
"She was a Queen of the Amazons and fought at Troy--"
"What's Amazons?"
"Fierce, terrible women who hated men and loved to fight."
"Well, I hates a fight, so don't you go calling me Penthe--whatever
her name was."
"No, Diana, I would have you her very opposite, if possible."
"How d'ye mean?"
"I'd have you a lady, sweet-mannered, soft-voiced, tender and
gentle--"
"Like your aunt? But she ain't exactly a pet lamb, Peregrine, nor yet
a cooin' dove--now, is she? And as for me I'm just--"
"My goddess Diana!"
"Was the real goddess a lady?"
"Well, I--I suppose so--but I want to ask you--"
"No, tell me about her--the goddess Diana.
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