Billy was puzzled for a moment to know what she meant. Then it dawned upon him that the Indians were often spoken of as cruel and savage. Well, he'd "tell the world" in his story that this family was kind and civilized. He said: "Oh, yes, I'll say everything I think about you, and that will be good!"
Then, suddenly bethinking himself of a word he'd once heard, he asked: "Isn't an Indian woman called a 'Squaw'?"
Bah's mother shook her head and a slight frown—the first Billy had seen—appeared between her eyes.
THE "SQUAWKER"
"No. Indian woman no like to be called Squaw! Not very nice! In reservation she fight when man call that!"
"Well, I'll remember and never use the word 'Squaw' again," promised Billy.
Just then an Indian mother appeared in the doorway of her hogan. The papoose upon her back was crying loudly, and Billy looked roguishly at Mrs. Fighting Bull and asked: "Is the baby called a 'Squawker'?"