He could not refrain from uttering an oath under his breath, but his answer to the prophet was more calm and sensible than the latter had anticipated.

If Kasana was so possessed by demons that this stranger infatuated her, let her have her will.

But Hosea had not yet sued for her.
"By the red god Seth, and his seventy companions," he added wrathfully, "neither you, nor any one shall induce me to offer my daughter, who has twenty suitors, to a man who terms himself our friend, yet finds no leisure to greet us in our own house! To keep fast hold of the lad is another thing, I will see to that.".