Before the coming of the corn time Dawapa had begged old Nampu to make her wishes known to Se-kyal-ets-tewa’s people. But Nampu, for all her stupid and squaw-like appearance, was wiser and more acquainted with the ways of the white world than one would have given her credit for.
She had known the Indian boy since his childhood and many an hour he had talked to her of his ambitions, his dreams, while she worked swiftly and silently at her pottery. She knew that he had taken all the prizes at the government schools; that his teachers at the schools had insisted he be sent East to college. Old Nampu also knew that Se-kyal-ets-tewa’s desires had become like those of the white youth. He would wish to have at least some part in choosing his own life companion.
Therefore the old Indian woman had put Dawapa off, telling her that she was too young; that the Indian youth must be allowed to finish his education. She had not told her that marriage between them was impossible, because Nampu herself wished that it might take place. The Indian gods would see to it, perhaps, by the mysterious methods which they alone understood. Besides, old Nampu, as we know, was also a medicine woman, and there are love potions which may be made from herbs as well as healing ones.
Then Dawapa came to visit the Sunrise Camp Fire girls and believed she saw that Tewa fancied the white girl, Bettina.
Dawapa did not have the average intelligence of the girls of her own race. Certainly she had no appreciation of simple friendliness.
But there was so little upon which to hang her suspicions that Dawapa would probably have let the idea slip from her mind, except that Gerry Williams, who guessed the situation, occasionally teased her concerning it.
It may be that Gerry simply was teasing, since there are persons who have a mischievous spirit without having a malicious one.
But, then, behind everything else that had happened, or was to come, was the fact that Gerry disliked Bettina.
Since their first meeting she had not liked what she called her coldness and pride. Then there was the more recent sting of their open quarrel. Moreover, to Gerry’s nature it was tantalizing to know that Bettina had the very things she most desired, without appreciating them; even though with her prettiness and wit she expected some day to acquire all she wished.
As a matter-of-fact, however, Bettina was not conscious that Gerry actually disliked her; only that they were antagonistic. For her share of their quarrel she had apologized on the following day, being too well bred and really too sweet-tempered not to feel remorse.