"Helloa, Linna! how are you?" he called, setting down his young
sister and catching up the little Indian. Not only that, but he
gave her a resounding smack on her dusky cheek.
"I always like pretty little girls, and I'm going to be your beau:
what do you say? Is it a bargain?"
It is not to be supposed that the Delaware miss caught the whole
meaning of this momentous question. She was a little overwhelmed
by the rush of the big boy's manner, and nodded her head about a
dozen times.
"There, Alice; do you understand that?" he asked, making the room
ring with his merry laughter; "I'm to be Linna's beau. How do you
like it?"
"I'm glad for you, but I--guess--I oughter be sorry for Linna."
CHAPTER THREE: JULY THIRD, 1778
While Ben Ripley was frolicking with little Alice and her Indian
friend Linna, the mother prepared the evening meal.
The candles were lighted, and they took their places at the table.
All this was new and strange to Linna. In her own home, she
was accustomed to sit on the ground, and use only her fingers for
knife and fork when taking food; but she was observant and quick,
and knowing how it had been with her, her friends soon did away
with her embarrassment. The mother cut her meat into small pieces,
spread butter--which the visitor looked at askance--on the
brown bread, and she had but to do as the rest, and all went well.
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