“You go—my fadder come. T'ree Indian,” holding up three fingers. “All right! Good!” He sank back upon the ground exhausted.
“Come on then, Mandy, we shall have to hurry.”
“No, you go. I'll wait.”
“I won't have that. It will be dark soon and I can't leave you here alone with—”
“Nonsense! This poor boy is faint with hunger and pain. I'll feed him while you're gone. Get me afresh pail of water and I can do for myself.”
“Well,” replied her husband dubiously, “I'll get you some wood and—”
“Come, now,” replied Mandy impatiently, “who taught you to cut wood? I can get my own wood. The main thing is to get away and get back. This boy needs shelter. How long have you been here?” she inquired of the Indian.
The boy opened his eyes and swung his arm twice from east to west, indicating the whole sweep of the sky.
“Two days?”
He nodded.