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much capital; from which he expected to receive; not a certain definite
interest; but an incalculable interest。
And having thus been reared in a manner as near to that of the nunnery
as tribal conditions would permit; it was with a great and maidenly anxiety
that she peeped out at the man who had surely come for her; at the
husband who was to teach her all that was yet unlearned of life; at the
masterful being whose word was to be her law; and who was to mete and
bound her actions and comportment for the rest of her days。
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。
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〃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。〃
〃Senatee?〃 went on the imperturbable Snettishane。
But John Fox feigned anger; crying: 〃What foolishness is this? Am
I old; that thou shouldst mate me with old women? Am I toothless? lame
of leg? blind of eye? Or am I poor that no bright…eyed maiden may look
with favour upon me? Behold! I am the Factor; both rich and great; a
power in the land; whose speech makes men tremble and is obeyed!〃
Snettishane was inwardly pleased; though his sphinx…like visage never
relaxed。 He was drawing the Factor; and making him break ground。
Being a creature so elemental as to have room for but one idea at a time;
Snettishane could pursue that one idea a greater distance than could John
Fox。 For John Fox; elemental as he was; was still complex enough to
entertain several glimmering ideas at a time; which debarred him from
pursuing the one as single…heartedly or as far as did the chief。
Snettishane calmly continued calling the roster of eligible maidens;
which; name by name; as fast as uttered; were stamped ineligible by John
Fox; with specified objections appended。 Again he gave it up and started
to return to the Fort。 Snettishane watched him go; making no effort to
stop him; but seeing him; in the end; stop himself。
〃Come to think of it;〃 the Factor remarked; 〃we both of us forgot Lit…
lit。 Now I wonder if she'll suit me?〃
Snettishane met the suggestion with a mirthless face; behind the mask
of which his soul grinned wide。 It was a distinct victory。 Had the Factor
gone but one step farther; perforce Snettishane would himself have
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mentioned the name of Lit…lit; butthe Factor had not gone that one step
farther。
The chief was non…committal concerning Lit…lit's suitability; till he
drove the white man into taking the next step in order of procedure。
〃Well;〃 the Factor meditated aloud; 〃the only way to find out is to
make a try of it。〃 He raised his voice。 〃So I will give for Lit… lit ten
blankets and three pounds of tobacco which is good tobacco。〃
Snettishane replied with a gesture which seemed to say that all the
blankets and tobacco in all the world could not compensate him for the
loss of Lit…lit and her manifold virtues。 When pressed by the Factor to
set a price; he coolly placed it at five hundred blankets; ten guns; fifty
pounds of tobacco; twenty scarlet cloths; ten bottles of rum; a music…box;
and lastly the good…will and best offices of the Factor; with a place by his
fire。
The Factor apparently suffered a stroke of apoplexy; which stroke was
successful in reducing the blankets to two hundred and in cutting out the
place by the firean unheard…of condition in the marriages of white men
with the daughters of the soil。 In the end; after three hours more of
chaffering; they came to an agreement。 For Lit…lit Snettishane was to
receive one hundred blankets; five pounds of tobacco; three guns; and a
bottle of rum; goodwill and best offices included; which according to John
Fox; was ten blankets and a gun more than she was worth。 And as he
went home through the wee sma' hours; the three…o'clock sun blazing in
the due north…east; he was unpleasantly aware that Snettishane had bested
him over the bargain。
Snettishane; tired and victorious; sought his bed; and discovered Lit…lit
before she could escape from the lodge。
He grunted knowingly: 〃Thou hast seen。 Thou has heard。
Wherefore it be plain to thee thy father's very great wisdom and
understanding。 I have made for thee a great match。 Heed my words
and walk in the way of my words; go when I say go; come when I bid thee
come; and we shall grow fat with the wealth of this big white man who is
a fool according to his bigness。〃
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The next day no trading was done at the store。 The Factor opened
whisky before breakfast; to the delight of McLean and McTavish; gave his
dogs double rat