Black Wolf: But invisible thongs may now bind them round, which even the Half Moon might not break, without rending the flesh from their bones and preparing sorrows and cares for his head. The Chevalier: Let us have done, Black Wolf. Black Wolf: Thongs which none could break, unless Oak Leaf and Red Wing themselves should first unbind them. (To the children.) Will Oak Leaf, will Red Wing unbind the mystic thongs of clan and home? Let the children decide. The Chevalier: Black Wolf is wise. My children are babes no longer. They can think and speak. Black Wolf: Let them speak.... Glory of the Morning: Yes. Let the children decide. Black Wolf: Oak Leaf, do you want to leave Black Wolf and Glory of the Morning to go with Half Moon over the Big Sea Water? Oak Leaf (Looking up at her mother): O _do_ I, mother? Glory of the Morning: I cannot tell. I love you, Oak Leaf. Oak Leaf (Withdrawing toward her father): Mother, make father Half Moon take you with us too. Glory of the Morning: The Half Moon has told you that he no longer needs Glory of the Morning. The Chevalier (Taking Oak Leaf's hand caressingly): Oak Leaf, you are too beautiful to wither and wrinkle here digging and grinding and stitching, though the handsomest brave of the Winnebago bought you for his squaw. Beyond the Big Sea Water you won't have to dig and grind and stitch. And sometime a noble brave of my nation will come in a blue suit with gold braid to the chateau and say: "I love Oak Leaf; will you give Oak Leaf to me?" Oak Leaf (Gladly): And you'll give me to him, father! ... (Oak Leaf leans against her father, with a half frightened glance at Glory of the Morning.) The Chevalier: You see, Glory of the Morning. Glory of the Morning (With restraint): I will say good-bye to Oak Leaf. Black Wolf: Red Wing, are you going with your sister and with Half Moon over the Big Sea Water? Red Wing: Sister, _are_ you really going?--You are always making believe. Oak Leaf: O, father,--tell him. The Chevalier: She is going, Red Wing. Red Wing: There is nothing for me beyond the Big Sea Water. The Chevalier: Over there your father is a famous chief, and you might wear a sword and fight beside the Great King. Red Wing: I shall not fight beside the Great King; and I shall not wear the white man's sword. The Chevalier (Takes his arm, coaxingly): Little chief, why not? Why not, my son? Glory of the Morning (Coldly and firmly): Because he is _my_ son. Red Wing (Standing off; to the Chevalier with boyish pride): Because I am a Winnebago. LOVE AFAR From "THE VAUNT OF MAN AND OTHER POEMS," p. 75. Copyright, 1912, by B. W. Huebsch.