Nellie did not reply. She was not going to quarrel with Francisco. But in her kind little heart she thought the noble Indian wanting in chivalry to the weaker sex.
Everyone at the camp was glad to see them; they had been gone exactly an hour and a half.
"You can't make an Indian hurry," Charlie had said when Mrs. Page began to grow uneasy. "Nothing can happen to the young folk; the boy is all right, and they're nothing but children."
Francisco led the horse to the back of the large tent, and with Charlie's assistance placed the barrel under the pepper tree; a gourd-dipper was produced from Charlie's countless stores, and everyone had a drink of the delightful, cool water.
"If you will take a piece of cheese-cloth," said Francisco, "and, running a string through, tie it around the top of the barrel, wetting it always, it will keep cool the water, and the flies away."
"A very good idea, Francisco," said Aunt Mary, preparing to go in search of the cheese-cloth, needle, and tape, at once.
"And now, if we may, I will take them to see the Lavenderia," said the Indian boy. "They wish to look at the washing going on."
"I don't care so much for it, but Nellie does," said Walter.
"You do so—every bit as much as I do—Walter," rejoined Nellie. "Only you think it's like a girl to go and see them washing."