"Hold on, Mercy! What's the use of rushin' through life 's if you was tryin' to break your neck?" "Rushin'! With all that's comin' here to-day!" "Well, let 'em come. We'll be glad to see 'em. Nobody gladder 'n you yourself. But you fair take my breath away with your everlastin' hurry-skurry, clitter-clatter. Don't give a man a chance to even kiss his little girl good-mornin'. Do you know that, Sunny Maid? Hain't said a word to your old Daddy yet!" The child ran to him and fondly flung her arms as far as they would go around the settler's broad shoulders. It was evident that there was love and sympathy between these two, though they were to be allowed short space "for foolin'" that day, and Mercy's call again interrupted them: "Come and take this butter down to the brook, Kit, an' wash it all clean, an' salt it just right--here 'tis measured off--an' make haste. I do believe you'd ruther stand there lovin' your old Abel--homely creatur'!--than helpin' me. Yet, when I was a little girl your age, I could work the butter over fit to beat the queen. Upon my word, I do declare I see a wagon movin' 'crost the prairie this very minute! Oh! what shall I do if I ain't ready when they get here!" Catching at last something of the pleasurable excitement about her, Kitty lifted the heavy butter-tray and started for the stream. The butter was just fine and firm enough to tempt her fingers into a bit of modelling, such as she had picked up for herself; and very speedily she had arranged a row of miniature fruits and acorns, and was just attempting to copy a flower which grew by the bank when Wahneenah's voice, close at hand, warned her: "Come, Girl-Child. The white mistress is in haste this morning. It is better to carry back the butter in a lump than to make even such pretty things and risk a scolding." "But father Abel would like them for his company. He is very fond of my fancy 'pats'." "But not to-day. Besides, if there is time for idleness, I want you to pass it here with me, in my own wigwam." The Sun Maid looked up. "Shall you not be at the feasting, dear Other Mother? You have many friends among those who are coming." "Friendship is proved by too sharp a test sometimes. The way of the world is to follow the crowd. If a person falls into disfavor with one, all the rest begin to pick flaws. More than that: the temptation of money ruins even noble natures." "Why, Wahneenah! You sound as if you were talking riddles. Who is tempted by money? and which way does the 'crowd' you mean go? I don't understand you at all." "May the Great Spirit be praised that it is so. May He long preserve to you your innocent and loyal heart."