"You are the only person outside of Katherine he has ever condescended to notice," said Mrs. Dean, with a smile.
"I assure you I feel immensely flattered by his friendship," Darrell replied, caressing the collie; "the more so because I know it to be genuine."
"He won't so much as look at me," Mrs. Dean added.
"That is because you objected at first to having him here," said Kate; "he knows it, and he'll not forget it. But, Mr. Darrell, where is papa?"
"He will be here directly," Darrell answered, smiling as he suddenly recalled the little note within his pocket; "he is returning from the war-path with the trophies of victory."
Kate laughed and colored slightly. "Your own scalp has not suffered, at any rate," she said.
"But he has brought me back a captive; here he comes now!"
The wagon loaded with Darrell's belongings was just coming slowly into view, with Mr. Underwood on the seat beside the driver, the other teams having been sent to the stables by another route.
Darrell noted the surprise depicted on the faces beside him, and, turning to Mrs. Dean, who stood next him, he said, in a low tone,—