"Must thou go?" endearingly. "If there are no parents—"
"But there is my poor Pani! And Detroit that I am so familiar with. Then I dare say they are all wondering."
"Loudac will tell us when he comes back."
Loudac had a budget of news. First there had been a marriage that very morning on the "Flying Star," the pretty boat of Louis Marsac, and Owaissa was the bride. There had been a feast given to the men, and the young mistress had stood before them to have her health drunk and receive the good wishes and a belt of wampum, with a lovely white doeskin cloak that was like velvet. Then they had set sail for Lake Superior.
Jeanne was very glad of the friendly twilight. She felt her face grow red and cold by turns.
"And the maiden Owaissa will be very happy," she said half in assertion, half inquiry.
"He is smart and handsome, but tricky at times, and overfond of brandy. But if a girl gets the man she wants all is well for a time, at least."
The next bit of news was that the "Return" would go to Detroit in four or five days.
"Not direct, which will be less pleasant. For she goes first over to Barre, and then crosses the lake again and stops at Presque Isle. After that it is clear sailing. A boat of hides and freight goes down, but that would not be pleasant. To-morrow I will see the captain of the 'Return.'"
"Thou wouldst not like a winter among us here?" inquired the dame. "It is not so bad, and the boys at the great house are wild over thee."