When she did, she
held some fine rushes in her hands.
"I have just found more. You will like them, Sweet Grass," she said,
trying to make her harsh voice as soft as possible.
The chief's daughter had never liked The Stone; and now, after hearing
Timid Hare's story, it was not easy to act friendly.
"For the child's sake, I must not show my dislike," she thought
quickly. So she smiled, and looking at the rushes, said, "These are
good, very good. I can use them for my mat."
She turned to her work while The Stone stood silent, watching her.
Then, suddenly, the old squaw bent over her and said, "Sweet Grass,
listen to me. I sent the child of the Mandans to you this morning.
She is bad--lazy--very lazy. Your father gave her into my keeping and
I will train her, though it is hard. No one else would be patient with
her wicked, lying ways. No one!"
The Stone stopped as suddenly as she had begun. She hoped that she had
succeeded in making Sweet Grass believe that the little captive was as
bad as she had said.
"Why do you talk? I do not care to listen to you," said the young
girl, looking up into the ugly face bending over her.
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