The lad stood waiting to hear.
“Little Pine, I have been cruel to my father. This morning I had a chance to make him comfortable for the rest of his life, and I refused it. But I will refuse no longer. I will help you both.”
The Little Pine smiled. “Does the Humming-Bird pick money out of flowers?”
“No, but I will sell my island. I will sell Shingebiss.”
“Not for me, my sister.”
She looked at the set line of his thin lips and saw it was no use. She listened for the rain and found it was no longer audible on the roof of the lodge. So presently she sprang up and started homeward. The Little Pine extinguished the light and followed in the intense darkness. Not a word was spoken till they came to the river.
“Naynokahsee, who buy your duck?”
“Captain Mahan is willing to buy it.”
“A bear, he not eat ducks.”
“Perhaps he will sell it to a fox.”