The girl was silent.
"Methought thou wouldst be glad——"
"Thy dog is strong," the girl replied.
"Dost thou love that dotard Attalaq?"
"No," the maid replied. "He is clumsy as the musk ox."
They turned, walking toward the igloo occupied by Ahningnetty and her aged father.
"Wilt thou not be Papik's wife?" Papik pleaded. "My shelter is cold—little meat have I. The white men robbed the tribe. But perchance the bears come—then I shall kill them; valiant is my dog." He patted the animal's shaggy head.
"But thy fingers, Papik—Papik! No—no!"
"But Papik loves thee," he protested; "his skin flushes with the thought of thee."
"That thou didst also say to Annadoah, whom thou didst seek before me."