'Is this so, daughter?' he asked.
'It is so, my father,' she answered boldly.
Then he broke out swearing. 'You light minx,' he said, 'you shall be
whipped and kept cool on bread and water in your chamber. And for you,
my half-bred Spanish cockerel, know once and for all that this maid
is for your betters. How dare you come wooing my daughter, you empty
pill-box, who have not two silver pennies to rattle in your pouch! Go
win fortune and a name before you dare to look up to such as she.'
'That is my desire, and I will do it, sir,' I answered.
'So, you apothecary's drudge, you will win name and place, will you!
Well, long before that deed is done the maid shall be safely wedded to
one who has them and who is not unknown to you. Daughter, say now that
you have finished with him.'
'I cannot say that, father,' she replied, plucking at her robe. 'If it
is not your will that I should marry Thomas here, my duty is plain and
I may not wed him. But I am my own and no duty can make me marry where I
will not. While Thomas lives I am sworn to him and to no other man.'
'At the least you have courage, hussey,' said her father. 'But listen
now, either you will marry where and when I wish, or tramp it for your
bread. Ungrateful girl, did I breed you to flaunt me to my face? Now for
you, pill-box. I will teach you to come kissing honest men's daughters
without their leave,' and with a curse he rushed at me, stick aloft, to
thrash me.
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