But, peeping through the front flap of the lodge, flushed and
thrilling at the strange destiny reaching out for her, she grew
disappointed as the day wore along, and the Factor and her father
still talked pompously of matters concerning other things and not
pertaining to marriage things at all. As the sun sank lower and
lower toward the north and midnight approached, the Factor began
making unmistakable preparations for departure. As he turned to
stride away Lit-lit's heart sank; but it rose again as he halted,
half turning on one heel.
"Oh, by the way, Snettishane," he said, "I want a squaw to wash for
me and mend my clothes."
Snettishane grunted and suggested Wanidani, who was an old woman
and toothless.
"No, no," interposed the Factor. "What I want is a wife. I've
been kind of thinking about it, and the thought just struck me that
you might know of some one that would suit."
Snettishane looked interested, whereupon the Factor retraced his
steps, casually and carelessly to linger and discuss this new and
incidental topic.
"Kattou?" suggested Snettishane.
"She has but one eye," objected the Factor.
"Laska?"
"Her knees be wide apart when she stands upright. Kips, your
biggest dog, can leap between her knees when she stands upright.
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