She spoke to Ted about it, and he was of the opinion that the Indian girl was getting homesick, that her wild nature was asserting itself, and that she was experiencing a longing to be among her own people again, and free from the conventions of civilized life.
Stella did not think so, and determined to speak to Singing Bird about it at the first good opportunity.
One day the chance came as they were walking together in a wood near which they had camped.
"What is the matter with you, sister?" asked Stella kindly. "Is it that you are not satisfied with our ways, and that you want to leave us?"
Singing Bird looked at her with troubled eyes, in which the tears soon began to well up.
"My sister knows that I love her," she said, "and that I would not leave her unless she wishes me to."
She looked at Stella inquiringly.
"No, I want you to stay. But if you are troubled, you must tell me as one sister would tell another."
"I will tell you," said the Indian girl simply, "and I would have told you long ago, only that I did not want to trouble you, nor make trouble for any one else in the camp."
"What do you mean by making trouble for any one else in the camp?"