"Oh, hush, Mercy!" ejaculated Jennie Stone. "She will think you are
quite a savage."

Helen laughed gaily and helped Wonota into the tonneau.

"Come on!" she cried. "Let us smoke the peace-pipe and tell each other
all our past lives."

But Ruth remained rather grave, looking steadily at the Indian girl.
When they were seated, she said:

"If you care to confide in us, Wonota, perhaps we can advise you, or
even help you. I know that you are unhappy and unkindly treated at this
show. I owe you so much that I would be glad to feel that I had done
something for you in return."

The grave face of the Indian girl broke into a slow smile. When she did
smile, Ruth thought her very winsome indeed. Now that she had removed
her headdress and wore her black hair in two glossy plaits over her
shoulders, she was even more attractive.

"You are very kind," Wonota said. "But perhaps I should not trouble you
with any of my difficulties."

"If you have troubles," interposed Jennie, "you've come to the right
shop. We all have 'em and a few more won't hurt us a bit. We're just
dying to know why that man treats you so mean."

"He wouldn't treat me that way!" put in Mercy vigorously.