"Oh, him? Made too free with the Kutenais women, so some of my good mountaineers made bold to burn his cabin. He came to your lodge for refuge, the Kutenais at his heels. They wait for you, so angry too!"
"Why do they wait for me?"
"They want to ask you first before they kill him, because, if you say yes, his ghost will haunt you, not them. They are artful, these Kutenais."
"Shall I let them have him?"
"Your guest?"
"Of course not. I can't."
"He has hunted and brought good meat when they were all afraid of famine. He nurses the old Fatbald. The children's spirits plead for him. He will be your friend, that is, at first, dear. I shall be jealous. Yes, I'll be nasty."
"All right. Why did you send me home in such a hurry? The old man seems all right."
"The flame will flicker to-night, and then go out. He willed to live until he could see you, Storm. Don't laugh at him to-night."
"I promise. And when he is dead, Rain, may I come to you on Earth?"