“It is better thus, it may be, than not at all.”
“The voice of the Black Partridge is sorrowful.”
“The heart of the chief is broken within him.”
For a space after that neither spoke. Then Wahneenah rose and set a candle in a niche of the wall and lighted it. By its flame she could see to move about and she presently had brought some food in a dish and placed a gourd of water by the chief’s side.
The water he drank eagerly and held the cup for more; but the food he pushed aside, relapsing into another silence.
Finally, Wahneenah spoke.
“Has the father of his tribe no message for his sister?”
“Over what the ear does not hear, the heart cannot grieve.”
“That is a truth which contradicts itself.”