Each promise was greeted by the old men with cries of: "Ay! Ay!" and the drummers thumped the drums most furiously in applause. And so the agent said, "Good-night," and withdrew. XVIII ELSIE'S ANCIENT LOVE AFFAIR As they walked back to their camp Jennie took her brother's arm: "What is it, George?" "I must return to the agency." "That means we must all go?" "I suppose so. The settlers seemed determined to make trouble. They have had another row with Gray Man's band, and shots have been fired. Fortunately no one was hurt. We must leave here early. Say nothing to any of our guests till we are safely on the way home." Elsie, walking with Lawson, was very pensive. "I begin to understand why Captain Curtis is made Indian agent. He understands these people, sympathizes with them." "No one better, and if the department can retain him six years he will have the Tetongs comfortably housed and on the road to independence and self-respect." "Why shouldn't he be retained?" "Well, your father may secure re-election to the Senate next winter." "I know," she softly answered, "he dislikes Captain Curtis." "More than that--in order to be elected, he must pledge himself to have Curtis put out o' the way." "That sounds like murder," she said. "Oh no; it's only politics--politics and business. But let's not talk of that--let us absorb the beauty of the night. Did you enjoy the dance?" "Very much. I am hopeless of ever painting it though--it is so full of big, significant shadows. I wish I knew more about it." "You are less confident than you were last year." He looked at her slyly. "I see more." "And feel more?" he asked. "Yes--I'm afraid I'm getting Captain Curtis's point of view. These people aren't the mendicants they once seemed. The expression of some of those faces to-night was wonderful. They are something more than tramps when they discard their rags." "I wish you'd come to my point of view," he said, a little irrelevantly. "About what?" "About our momentous day. Suppose we say Wednesday of Thanksgiving week?" "I thought you were going to wait for me to speak," she replied. He caught his breath a little. "So I will--only you won't forget my gray hairs, will you?" "I don't think I will--not with your broad daily hints to remind me. But you promised to be patient and--just friendly." He ignored her sarcasm. "It would be rather curious if I _should_ become increasingly impatient, wouldn't it? I made that promise in entire good faith, but--I seem to be changing." "That's what troubles me," she said. "You are trying to hurry me." At this moment they came close to the Parkers and she did not continue. He had given her another disturbing thought to sleep on, and that was, "Would it hurt him much if I should now return his ring?" Mrs. Parker was disposed to discuss the dance, but Jennie said: "We must all go to sleep. George says we are to move early to-morrow." * * * * *