Now on hearing this Suzanne said, "Oh!" and sank back in her chair as
though she were going to faint; but I burst out laughing, half because
Ralph's impertinence tickled me and half at the sight of my husband's
face. Presently he turned upon me in a fine rage.

"Be silent, you silly woman," he said. "Do you hear what that mad boy
says? He says that he wants my daughter."

"Well, what of it?" I answered. "Is there anything wonderful in that?
Suzanne is of an age to be married and pretty enough for any young man
to want her."

"Yes, yes; that is true now I come to think of it," said Jan, pulling
his beard. "But, woman, he says that he wants to take her away with
him."

"Ah!" I replied, "that is another matter. That he shall never do without
my consent."

"No, indeed, he shall never do that," echoed Jan.

"Suzanne," said I in the pause that followed, "you have heard all this
talk. Tell us, then, openly what is your mind in the matter."

"My mind is, mother," she answered very quietly, "that I wish to obey
you and my father in all things, as is my duty, but that I have a deeper
duty towards Ralph whom God gave me out of the sea. Therefore, if you
send away Ralph without a cause, if he desires it I shall follow him as
soon as I am of age and marry him, or if you keep me from him by force
then I think that I shall die. That is all I have to say."