"The Norsemen in Nova Scotia? But why didn't they discover the stone before?"
"It was found by a Dr. Fletcher in a cove on his own property. The inscription was on the under side, and showed signs of great age. There, I believe I have something about it here;" and pulling a small notebook from her pocket, Amy refreshed her memory.
"Yes, it weighed about four hundred and fifty pounds, and some antiquarians have translated the inscription, 'Harki's son addressed the men.' It seems that there was a man named Harki among those Norsemen who sailed along the coast of America in 1007."
"That is certainly worth knowing," said Mrs. Redmond, "and I hope that we can see the stone before we go."
"Well, it's only fair," continued Amy, "to tell you that some learned people do not believe in the Norse theory."
"Perhaps it's like the inscription on the Dighton rock," interposed Priscilla, "that they now think was made by Indians."
"Yes," added Amy, "but the strange thing is that a few years ago a second stone was found about a mile away from the other, and the inscription on it was almost the same."
"Well," exclaimed Martine, "it doesn't matter whether the Norsemen really were here or not, as long as we can imagine that they may have been. I like the romantic part of history, if it gives you something entertaining to think about. It's all the same whether or not it is true."
After which heretical sentiment, Priscilla, Plymouth-born Priscilla, felt herself to be farther away than ever from Martine.
When Priscilla nestled down beside Mrs. Redmond to watch the growth of her sketch, Martine became impatient.