\"Isitthecustomhere，\"inquiredMissNevil，withasmile，\"foryoungladiestowearsuchlittleinstrumentsastheseintheirbodices？\"
\"Itis，\"answeredColomba，withasigh。\"Therearesomanywickedpeopleabout！\"
\"Andwouldyoureallyhavethecouragetostrikewithit，likethis？\"
AndMissNevil，daggerinhand，madeagestureofstabbingfromabove，asactorsdoonthestage。
Yes，\"saidColomba，inhersoft，musicalvoice，\"ifIhadtodoittoprotectmyselformyfriends。Butyoumustnotholditlikethat，youmightwoundyourselfifthepersonyouweregoingtostabweretodrawback。\"Then，sittingupinbed，\"See，\"sheadded，\"youmuststrikelikethis——upward！Ifyoudoso，thethrustissuretokill，theysay。