"I guess you can," was the ready reply of Alice; "your father can't
begin to play as well. When you go home you can show your mamma
how to play Jack Stones. Have you any brothers and sisters?"
"No; me have no brother--no sister."
"That's too bad! I've got a big brother Ben. He isn't home now,
but he will be here to supper. He's a nice boy, and you will like
him. Let's go in the house now to see mamma, and you can teach me
how to talk Indian."
Both girls bounded to their feet, and hand in hand, walked to the
door, with Omas gravely stalking after them.
Mrs. Ripley had learned of the visitor, and stood on the threshold
to welcome her. She took her by the hand and led her inside. Omas
paused, as if in doubt whether he should follow; but her invitation
to him was so cordial, that he stepped within and seated himself
on a chair.
That afternoon and night could never be forgotten by Alice Ripley.
In a very little while she and her visitor were on the best of terms;
laughing, romping, and chasing each other in and out of doors, just
as if they were twin sisters that had never been separated from
each other.
When Mrs. Ripley asked Omas for how long a time he could leave his
child with them, he said he must take her back that evening. His
wigwam was a good many miles away in the woods, and he would have
to travel all night to reach the village of his tribe.
Mrs. Ripley, however, pleaded so hard, that he consented to let
his child stay until he came back the next day or soon thereafter
for her.
When he rose to go, the long summer day was drawing to a close.
He spoke to Linna in their native tongue. She was sitting on the
floor just then, playing with a wonderful rag baby, but was up in
a flash, and followed him outside.
"Wait a moment and she will come back," said Mrs. Ripley to her own
child. She knew what the movement meant: Omas did not wish anyone
to see him and Linna.
On the outside he moved to the left, and glanced around to make
sure that no person was looking that way. Then he lifted the little
one from the ground; she threw her arms around his neck, and he
pressed her to his breast and kissed her several times with great
warmth. Then he set her down, and she ran laughing into the house,
while he strode off to the woods.