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Wells, Carolyn, 1862-1942

"Patty's Butterfly Days"

Now they do things very differently
out there from what men do here. If they want anything or anybody
they just TAKE them!"
"H'm, h'm," murmured Farnsworth, affirmatively over Patty's
shoulder.
She paid no attention to his interruption, and went on, "So, you
see, Mrs. O'Brien, you mustn't mind the rude and untutored manners
of the savage tribes. This gentleman is a--is an INDIAN!"
"You don't tell me, Miss!"
"Yes, he is. And though you're perfectly safe if you do just as he
tells you, if you rebel, he might--he might TOMAHAWK you!"
"Lor', Miss, is he as bad as that?"
"Oh, he's AWFUL bad! He's terrible! He's--why, he's IRRESISTIBLE!"
Big Bill was shaking with laughter, but Mrs. O'Brien couldn't see
him, and Patty herself looked half scared out of her wits.
"Now, I'll tell you what, Mrs. O'Brien," she went on, "you let me
be your friend; trust to me, and I'll see that no harm comes to
you. If you'll cook this dinner to-night, I'll promise to send you
home safely to-morrow morning, and Miss Galbraith will pay you
well beside. Susan Hastings will be with you as a helper, and--and
if you only make your mind up to it, you can have a real good
time!"
Patty felt that she ended her speech rather lamely, but her
eloquence had given out.


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