“Really, these commercial people are to be pitied,” said Franklin. “Their glory is of short duration. To-day they are princes of commerce, and to-morrow they are paupers. So we must be charitable with them and let them show how little they know, as they usually do in a bombastic way. Like a ‘tinkling cymbal’ and ‘a sounding brass’ their glory passeth as the night.”
By this time a servant announced supper, and the three retraced their steps in jolly good humor to the mansion, for their appetites were unusually keen.
At supper Dr. Franklin exclaimed when he tasted the wild fruit that Mollie had provided:
“William, where did you get such delicious wild fruit?”
“Why, sir, our daughter, Mollie, and Segwuna, the Indian maiden, gathered the best on the estate,” as he indicated Miss Mollie with a gesture of his hand, whereupon Mollie blushed inordinately as the two distinguished guests smiled graciously upon her.
“Did I understand you to say ‘Segwuna’?” asked the philosopher. “Segwuna, Segwuna,” he continued. “Why, Mr. Jefferson, we have heard that name before. It is so peculiar.”
“Certainly, certainly, Doctor,” was Mr. Jefferson’s response. “She is the mysterious Indian maiden that has been such a constant attendant upon our meetings of Congress. Why, she would be at our door as we passed in, and still there as we passed out. She has been observed by several gentlemen. At all times she looks eagerly into our faces as though anxious for some sign or news that would please her. Her face lights up with an intelligence that haunts me ever since I first met her gaze. She seemed so pure and noble that I have been more than once moved at the presence of this lone Indian girl,—the sole representative of her race among the curious throng that have watched our deliberations. If she lives near by,” continued the statesman with much earnestness in his tone, “I would like to question her, and learn her purpose at the doors of Congress.”
Dr. Greydon was surprised at this information and he replied with lively interest:
“You certainly may see our forest child, Mr. Jefferson, and in fact, this very evening; for Segwuna has grown up on our estate, and if any honor attaches to the meeting, Dorminghurst shall claim it,” concluded the host as he turned to Dr. Franklin with a merry twinkle in his eye.
“May I take you to the lodge of Segwuna, Mr. Jefferson?” enthusiastically questioned Miss Mollie, as her eyes danced with joy at the mention of her favorite companion by these distinguished gentlemen. “Segwuna,” she added, “has told me that great events were going to happen within the present moon and that great leaders of men were to come forth and proclaim the sweetest message from the Great Spirit that human kind had ever heard.