What a glance Paula cast at him! It was more than she could bear to hear him address her in jest, almost in mockery: him of all men, and at this moment for the first time--and to be thus reminded of her father! She answered proudly and with cutting sharpness: "I leave weapons to fighting men and murderers!" "To fighting men, and murderers!" repeated Orion, pretending not to understand the point of her words.

He forced a smile; but then, feeling that he must make some defence, he added bitterly: "Really, that sounds like the utterance of a feeble-hearted damsel! But let me beg you to come closer and be calm.

These pitiable gashes on the poor creature's shoulder--I care more about her than you do, take my word for it--were inflicted by a four-footed assassin, whose weapons were given by nature.
Yes, that is what happened.

Rough old Beki keeps watch at the door of the tablinum.

What brought the poor child here I know not, but he caught scent of her and pulled her down." "Or nothing of the kind!" interrupted Neforis, picking up a pair of man's shoes which lay on the ground by the sufferer.
Orion turned as pale as death and hastily took the shoes from his mother's hand; he would have liked to fling them up and away through the open roof.