her little plump hand and said--"Linna, I am real glad you have come!"

Omas had risen to his feet, and watched the girls with an affection and
interest which found no expression on his painted face. His child looked
timidly up to him and walked slowly forward, her hand clasped in that of
Alice. She did not speak, but when her escort sat down on the grass, she
did the same.

"Linna, do you know how to play Jack Stones?" asked Alice, picking up
the pebbles.

Linna shook her head quickly several times, but her lips remained mute.

"Your father thought he knew how, but he don't; he doesn't play fair,
either. Let me show you, so you can beat him when you go home."

Alice set to work, while the bright black eyes watched every movement.

"Now do you want to try it?" she asked, after going through the game
several times.

Linna nodded her head with the same birdlike quickness, and reached out
her chubby hand.

Her father and Alice watched her closely. She made several failures at
first, all of which were patiently explained by her tutor; by and by she
went through the performance from beginning to end without a break.

Alice clapped her hands with delight, and Omas--certain that no grownup
person saw him--smiled with pleasure.

"Doesn't she know how to talk?" asked Alice, looking up at the warrior.
Omas spoke somewhat sharply to his child in the Delaware tongue. She
startled, and looking at Alice, asked--

"Do--yoo think me play well?"

Alice was delighted to find she could make herself understood so easily.
It was wonderful how she had learned to speak English so early in life.

"I guess you can," was the ready reply of Alice; "your father can't
begin to play as well. When you go home you can show your mamma how to
play Jack Stones. Have you any brothers and sisters?"

"No; me have no brother--no sister."

"That's too bad! I've got a big brother Ben. He isn't home now, but he
will be here to supper. He's a nice boy, and you will like him. Let's go
in the house now to see mamma, and you can teach me how to talk Indian."

Both girls bounded to their feet, and hand in hand, walked to the door,
with Omas gravely stalking after them.

Mrs. Ripley had learned of the visitor, and stood on the threshold to
welcome her. She took her by the hand and led her inside. Omas paused,
as if in doubt whether he should follow; but her invitation to him was
so cordial, that he stepped within and seated himself on a chair.

T