"Ye haven't exactly been around much," she pointed out flatly. Karen crossed her arms over her bosom and tapped her foot in irritation while feeling guilty at the same token for her silence on the matter. "Frederic is a kind man. I met him in the market." She sighed and said, "It isn't charity, Pony. He gave me a gift because he admires me. I know exactly what is happening because I admire him too." She lifted a hand to ward off any reply from him for the moment. "Before ye go takin me clock away from me, because ye won't," and she meant it, "know that ye will have a fight on yer hands. I LOVE that clock. Oh, what am I sayinf? Ye're goin' to fight with me anyway. I don't want to fight."