CHAPTER X
A GLEAM AFAR
As warm weather approached, the children grew restless under so much schooling, and Robert made Saturday a holiday. In order to help his uncle more efficiently, he was trying to learn the Indian tongue, but found it far more difficult than Greek and Latin, and made many ludicrous mistakes. Mackenzie was very patient with him, and Black Partridge made occasional comments and suggestions, being deeply flattered by the college man's desire to learn from him.
The trader had told him of the great school in the East, where Forsyth had learned everything that was written down in books, and yet could not talk with the Indians, or make a fire by rubbing sticks together; and the implied superiority of the chief had its own subtle gratification.
The women at the Fort were very fond of Beatrice, and she made daily visits there, but time began to hang heavily upon her hands. Without knowing why, she was restless and unhappy, and, after the manner of her sex, attributed it to some hidden illness of the body rather than the mind.
"I feel as if I simply must go somewhere or do something," she said to Doctor Norton, in a vain effort to explain her unrest.
He examined her pulse and tongue, then laughed at her. "You're all right," he said; "there's nothing on earth the matter with you."
"There is, too," she contradicted. "I don't feel right and I need medicine."
"Quinine?"
She made a wry face. "No, I don't need that."
"Sulphur and molasses?"