Okoya replied,-- "Mitsha does not bite." "She certainly will not bite you," the mother answered, causing the maiden to turn her face away.
"Does she bite others ?" Okoya asked.

Again Hannay laughed aloud, and from the corner whither Mitsha had retreated there sounded something like a suppressed laugh also.

It amused her to think that she might bite people.

Her mother, however, explained,-- "No, Mitsha does not bite; but if other boys should come to see her she might perhaps strike them.

But you, sa uishe,"-- the woman moved closer to him,--"you, I am sure, she will not send away.