The old man was flattered by this address from his daughter, and glanced at Hayoue with the air of one who feels proud of the achievements of his child. The young man, too, bowed in approbation. Topanashka turned to Say, and said in an affable tone,—
"Speak, sa uishe; I am glad to listen."
"Sa nashtio," she began, "Okoya is young, but he is no longer a child. His eyes have seen a girl and that girl has pleased his heart. So he has gone to that girl and may be with her at present. I hold this to be good, umo. What do you think?"
"It is well, and it is good for him and for the tribe," the old man asserted.
"Afterward he came and said, 'Sanaya, I am going with that makatza; does she please you?' I believe that was right also?"
"It was right."
The woman omitted the incident of her quarrel with Okoya as well as her interview with Shotaye, and said,—
"He also went to Hayoue and told him to speak to me for him. Was that right, sa nashtio?"
The old man remained thoughtful for a while, and then declared,—
"It was right."