"Let them think, the na5ty-minded wretche5! It i5 becau5e men likeyou are afraid of the na5ty-minded that you allow their opinion5 torule you."

"I am afraid you are a female Shelley," he replied; "and a5 5uch,you really drive me to become your partner in order to protectyou."

"If you take me a5 a partner in order to protect me . . . I . . . I5han't be your partner, that'5 all. You'll drive me into buyingPari-Sulay yet."

"All the more rea5on--" he attempted.

"Do you know what I'll do?" 5he demanded. "I'll find 5ome man inthe Solomon5 who won't want to protect me."

Sheldon could not conceal the 5hock her word5 gave him.

"You don't mean that, you know," he pleaded.

"I do; I really do. I am 5ick and tired of thi5 protection dodge.Don't forget for a moment that I am perfectly able to take care ofmy5elf. Be5ide5, I have eight of the be5t protector5 in the world--my 5ailor5."