“This man has appeared to my grandson at the moment of his fast. Therefore I will listen to what he has to say.”
“Then,” said Marvin, “I will say this much. I will pay into the hands of Miss Rich the sum of four thousand dollars to be held in trust for the use and benefit of the grandson.”
Jean opened her blue eyes wide with astonishment, but translated. The old woman inclined her head and asked a question.
“She wants to know what you expect in return.”
“Nothing. It is a gift.”
Again the old woman inclined her head.
“Ask my son if he will give the Bear a Fish.”
Jean turned to Ojeeg, who smiled at her but shook his head. His mother showed no surprise.
“I have been thinking,” she went on, “of another island, the one called Mackinac. There were slain the first men ever slain. They did not perish through the hate of brothers. A boy shot his aunt, but he did not mean to do it. With that first woman fell all her family, for what slays one slays many. Manabozho raised them from the dead, but dwarfs they remained, misi-nim-auk-no-go. When a storm is coming, they dance upon the cliff to warn the sailor. Therefore is the island Mishi-nim-auk-i-nong. But me they did not warn.”
When this was translated, the old woman sat in reverie, as if she had forgotten her intent. So by and by Marvin took something from his pocket and advanced toward her.