SHIANA
109
Kate.—What a fright the man with the horns would give her!
Abbie.—Upon my word, Kate, it is my opinion that she wouldn't allow him much odds. If he gave her a fright, she would give him a fright. If she got hold of him by the horn, or by his goatee beard, I fancy he would be better pleased to be rid of her.
Nora.—And what would the tail be doing? If she were to get a prod or two from that claw, I think she would give a screech.
Abbie.—Oh, Nora, you will soon outdo me! I never thought of the claw. I was thinking that perhaps she might pitch hot water at him, straight in the eyes.
Nora.—Why, what would he care for hot water, after the heat of the place he came from?
Kate.—She has beaten you, Abbie.
Abbie.—She has, clean. I'll say no more.
Sheila.—That's a good thing. I'd soon be getting frightened. Poor Shiana was much to be pitied with such a prospect before him.
Abbie.—How do you know, Sheila, that the prospect would be a certainty?
Sheila.—What do you mean, Abbie?
Abbie.—How do you know that he ever came?
Sheila.—Why, wasn't it just upon that he made the bargain?
Abbie.—Perhaps, as Kate said just now, he got too great a fright the time that roar was forced from him, and that he wouldn't come again to claim the fulfilment of his bargain, for fear that another roar might be forced from him.
