"What! have you two wives?" she exclaimed in horror.
"Yes, only two, now; one dead."
Her mind was sadly changed at this evidence of heathenism; but ere the day was over she received a still more impressive proof.
Dr. Gordon perceiving that he looked sad whenever an allusion was made to his home, he asked him if his wife was seriously sick, to which he answered, No.
"When I go home, last week," said he, "my squaw had a fine boy, big and fat. My heart glad. But I look and see a big hole in his mouth, from here to here," pointing from the lip to the nose.
"That is what we call a hare lip," said Dr. Gordon, "it is not uncommon."
"I sorry very much," continued Riley. "Child too ugly."
"But it can be easily cured," observed Dr. Gordon.
Riley looked at him inquiringly, and Dr. Gordon added, "O, yes, it can be easily cured. If you will bring your child here, any time, I will stop that hole in half an hour; and there will be no sign of it left, except a little scar, like a cut."
The Indian shook his head mournfully, "Can't bring him. Too late now."