_(Looking surprised and getting stubborn.)_ Me know Freda long time--two years. Um good woman. Um tongue speak true. Um just like you, no afraid. Um just like you, travel Long Trail with me. No afraid, very soft heart; sorry for dogs; no ride on sled when dogs tired. Um tired, but um walk. And um tongue straight; all the time speak true. I am Sitka Charley--I know. MRS. EPPINGWELL Yes, yes. Go on. SITKA CHARLEY _(Considering.)_ Freda no like men. MRS. EPPINGWELL Now that is too much, Charley? How about Mr. Vanderlip? SITKA CHARLEY _(Shrugs his shoulders.)_ I know Freda long time. Freda know Vanderlip short time. Maybe Freda like Vanderlip. I don't know. But before she never like men, that I know. Maybe you like Mr. Vanderlip I think. _(Mrs. Eppingwell smiles, and Sitka Charley grows more positive.)_ Vanderlip come your cabin all the time. You ride on Vanderlip's sled. I know. I see. Maybe you like Vanderlip. MRS. EPPINGWELL You don't understand, Charley. I have reasons for being nice to Mr. Vanderlip. SITKA CHARLEY _(Sceptically.)_ Um. MRS. EPPINGWELL And, Charley, you mustn't tell anybody what you have told me about Mr. Vanderlip going away to-night with that--that woman. SITKA CHARLEY _(Weighing her words.)_ Maybe I tell Freda. MRS. EPPINGWELL _(Stamping foot angrily.)_ Don't be foolish, Charley. She is the last person in the world who ought to know. Of course you'll not tell her. Tell no one. _(Sitka Charley hesitates.)_ Promise me you'll not tell. Promise me by the faith of food and blanket. SITKA CHARLEY _(Reluctantly.)_ All right, I no tell. MRS. EPPINGWELL They say Freda is a dancer. Have you seen her dance? SITKA CHARLEY _(Nodding his heady a pleased expression on his face.)_ I see um. Very good dance. Um dance at Juneau, two years ago, first time I see. Treadwell Mine no work that day. No men to work. All men come Juneau and look see Freda dance. Freda makum much money. Um speak to me. Um say, "Charley, I go Yukon Country. You drive my dogs, how much?" Then Freda travel Long Trail with me. MRS. EPPINGWELL They say many men like her. SITKA CHARLEY _(Nodding head vigorously.)_ Um, sure. Me like her too, very much. MRS. EPPINGWELL _(Smiling tolerantly.)_ And they say she makes fools of men. SITKA CHARLEY Sure. Dam fools. Men just like bubble. Freda just make play with um--smash!--just like that. Everybody say so. MRS. EPPINGWELL What kind of a looking woman is she? SITKA CHARLEY You no see um? Mrs. Eppingwell No. What does she look like? _(Freda enters from right.)_ SITKA CHARLEY _(Looking at Freda.)_ Um there now. MRS. EPPINGWELL _(Not understanding.)_ What? SITKA CHARLEY _(Nodding head toward Freda.)_ Um Freda there.