The Red King had one last word. "Harold," he said shamefacedly, "I am sorry about the pies. I am ashamed. I would give them back, if I could. I will pay for them roundly."
"Your Majesty," said Harold graciously, "do not mention it!"
Here follows the tale which the Red King told to Harold on the next day; a tale which he had heard in his wanderings in a New World far across the ocean to the west; a tale of the Red People--Little Bear.
XVIII: LITTLE BEAR: AN OJIBWAY LEGEND
Once upon a time there was an old Indian couple who had three daughters, but no son. The two older girls were very beautiful; but the youngest was plain and unlovely. Yet she was the wisest of the three. Her name was Little Bear.
Now, there came a time when the father and mother grew too old to work as they had done all their lives. It became necessary that the two older daughters, who were strapping big girls, should go away to find work in order to take care of the family.
"Take me with you," begged Little Bear.
But the older sisters shook their heads.
"No," they answered; "you would be of no use to us. You are too little. You must stay at home."