_A Poetical Lady._ What strange wild singing it is, JOHN! There's
something so creepy about it, somehow.

_John_ (_a prosaic but frivolous person_). There is, indeed. It
explains _one_ thing I never quite understood before, though.

_The Poetical Lady._ I thought it would impress you--but what does it
explain?

_John._ The reason why the buffalo in those parts has so entirely died
out.

_A Rigid Matron_ (_during the Emigrant Train Scene_). I don't care
to see a girl ride in that bold way myself. I'm sure it _must_ be so
unsexing for them. And what _is_ she about now, with that man? They're
actually having a duel with knives--on _horseback_ too! not at _all_ a
nice thing for any young girl to do. There! she's pulled out a pistol
and shot him--and galloped off as if nothing had happened! I have
always heard that American girls were allowed a good _deal_ of
liberty--but I'd really no idea they went as far as this! I should
be sorry indeed to see any girl of _mine_ (_here the glances
instructively at three dumpy and dough-faced Daughters_) acting in
that forward and _most_ unfeminine manner. (_Reassuringly._) But I'm
very sure there's no fear of _that_, is there, dears?

[_The Daughters repudiate with gratifying unanimity any desire
to shoot gentlemen on horseback._

_A Bloodthirsty Boy_ (_as the hostile Indians attack the train_). Will