Late in the afternoon, Rhoda woke. Kut-le stood beside her. His expression was half eager, half tender.
"How do you feel now?" he asked.
"Quite well," answered Rhoda. "Will you call Marie? I want to dress."
"You must rest in bed today," replied the Indian. "Tomorrow will be soon enough for you to get up."
Rhoda looked at the young man with irritation.
"Can't you learn that I am not a squaw? That it maddens me to be ordered about? That every time you do you alienate me more, if possible?"
"You do foolish stunts," said Kut-le calmly, "and I have to put you right."
Rhoda moaned.
"Oh, how long, how long must I endure this! How could they be so stupid as to let you slip through their fingers so!"
Kut-le's mouth became a narrow seam.