protected function _processExtends(array $data, $section, array $config = array())
    {
        if (!isset($data[$section])) {

            throw new Zend_Config_Exception(sprintf('Section "%s" cannot be found', $section));
        }

        $thisSection  = $data[$section];

        if (is_array($thisSection) && isset($thisSection[self::EXTENDS_NAME])) {
            if (is_array($thisSection[self::EXTENDS_NAME])) {

                throw new Zend_Config_Exception('Invalid extends clause: must be a string; array received');
            }
            $this->_assertValidExtend($section, $thisSection[self::EXTENDS_NAME]);

            if (!$this->_skipExtends) {
                $config = $this->_processExtends($data, $thisSection[self::EXTENDS_NAME], $config);
            }
            unset($thisSection[self::EXTENDS_NAME]);
        }

        $config = $this->_arrayMergeRecursive($config, $thisSection);

        return $config;
    }