°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
brilliant¡¡record¡¡in¡¡the¡¡service¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Company¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡About¡¡this¡¡time¡¡his¡¡wife¡¡
died£»¡¡was¡¡claimed¡¡by¡¡her¡¡people£»¡¡and¡¡buried¡¡with¡¡savage¡¡circumstance¡¡in¡¡a¡¡
tin¡¡trunk¡¡in¡¡the¡¡top¡¡of¡¡a¡¡tree¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Two¡¡sons¡¡she¡¡had¡¡borne¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡the¡¡Company¡¡promoted¡¡him£»¡¡
he¡¡journeyed¡¡with¡¡them¡¡still¡¡deeper¡¡into¡¡the¡¡vastness¡¡of¡¡the¡¡North¡¡¡West¡¡
Territory¡¡to¡¡a¡¡place¡¡called¡¡Sin¡¡Rock£»¡¡where¡¡he¡¡took¡¡charge¡¡of¡¡a¡¡new¡¡post¡¡in¡¡
a¡¡more¡¡important¡¡fur¡¡field¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Here¡¡he¡¡spent¡¡several¡¡lonely¡¡and¡¡depressing¡¡
months£»¡¡eminently¡¡disgusted¡¡with¡¡the¡¡unprepossessing¡¡appearance¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
Indian¡¡¡¡¡¡maidens£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡greatly¡¡¡¡¡¡worried¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡growing¡¡¡¡¡¡sons¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
need¡¡of¡¡a¡¡mother's¡¡care¡£¡¡Then¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡chanced¡¡upon¡¡Lit¡lit¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Lit¡litwell£»¡¡she¡¡is¡¡Lit¡lit£»¡¨¡¡was¡¡the¡¡fashion¡¡in¡¡which¡¡he¡¡despairingly¡¡
described¡¡her¡¡to¡¡his¡¡chief¡¡clerk£»¡¡Alexander¡¡McLean¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡McLean¡¡was¡¡too¡¡fresh¡¡from¡¡his¡¡Scottish¡¡upbringing¡¨not¡¡dry¡¡behind¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡79¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡80¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Faith¡¡of¡¡Men¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡ears¡¡¡¡¡¡yet£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡John¡¡¡¡¡¡Fox¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡¡¡itto¡¡¡¡¡¡take¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡marriage¡¡¡¡¡¡customs¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
country¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nevertheless¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡averse¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Factor's¡¡¡¡¡¡imperilling¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
own¡¡immortal¡¡soul£»¡¡and£»¡¡especially£»¡¡feeling¡¡an¡¡ominous¡¡attraction¡¡himself¡¡
for¡¡¡¡¡¡Lit¡lit£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡sombrely¡¡¡¡¡¡content¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡clinch¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡soul's¡¡¡¡¡¡safety¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡
seeing¡¡her¡¡married¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Factor¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nor¡¡is¡¡it¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡wondered¡¡that¡¡McLean's¡¡¡¡¡¡austere¡¡Scotch¡¡soul¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
danger¡¡of¡¡being¡¡thawed¡¡in¡¡the¡¡sunshine¡¡of¡¡Lit¡lit's¡¡eyes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡was¡¡pretty£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡slender£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡willowy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡massive¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡temperamental¡¡
stolidity¡¡of¡¡the¡¡average¡¡squaw¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Lit¡lit£»¡¨¡¡so¡¡called¡¡from¡¡her¡¡fashion£»¡¡even¡¡
as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡child£»¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡fluttery£»¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡darting¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
butterfly£»¡¡of¡¡being¡¡inconsequent¡¡and¡¡merry£»¡¡and¡¡of¡¡laughing¡¡as¡¡lightly¡¡as¡¡
she¡¡darted¡¡and¡¡danced¡¡about¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Lit¡lit¡¡was¡¡the¡¡daughter¡¡of¡¡Snettishane£»¡¡a¡¡prominent¡¡chief¡¡in¡¡the¡¡tribe£»¡¡
by¡¡a¡¡half¡breed¡¡mother£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡him¡¡the¡¡Factor¡¡fared¡¡casually¡¡one¡¡summer¡¡
day¡¡to¡¡open¡¡negotiations¡¡of¡¡marriage¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡sat¡¡with¡¡the¡¡chief¡¡in¡¡the¡¡smoke¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡mosquito¡¡¡¡¡¡smudge¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡lodge£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡together¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡talked¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡
everything¡¡under¡¡the¡¡sun£»¡¡or£»¡¡at¡¡least£»¡¡everything¡¡that¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Northland¡¡is¡¡
under¡¡the¡¡sun£»¡¡with¡¡the¡¡sole¡¡exception¡¡of¡¡marriage¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡John¡¡Fox¡¡had¡¡come¡¡
particularly¡¡to¡¡talk¡¡of¡¡marriage£»¡¡Snettishane¡¡knew¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡John¡¡Fox¡¡knew¡¡
he¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡knew¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡wherefore¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡subject¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡religiously¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡avoided¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡
alleged¡¡to¡¡be¡¡Indian¡¡subtlety¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡reality¡¡it¡¡is¡¡transparent¡¡simplicity¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡hours¡¡slipped¡¡¡¡¡¡by£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Fox¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Snettishane¡¡smoked¡¡interminable¡¡
pipes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡looking¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡each¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡guilelessness¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡superbly¡¡
histrionic¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡mid¡afternoon¡¡McLean¡¡and¡¡his¡¡brother¡¡clerk£»¡¡McTavish£»¡¡
strolled¡¡¡¡¡¡past£»¡¡¡¡¡¡innocently¡¡¡¡¡¡uninterested£»¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡river¡£¡¡¡¡When¡¡
they¡¡strolled¡¡back¡¡again¡¡an¡¡hour¡¡later£»¡¡Fox¡¡and¡¡Snettishane¡¡had¡¡attained¡¡to¡¡
a¡¡ceremonious¡¡discussion¡¡of¡¡the¡¡condition¡¡and¡¡quality¡¡of¡¡the¡¡gunpowder¡¡
and¡¡bacon¡¡which¡¡the¡¡Company¡¡was¡¡offering¡¡in¡¡trade¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Meanwhile¡¡Lit¡lit£»¡¡
divining¡¡the¡¡Factor's¡¡errand£»¡¡had¡¡crept¡¡in¡¡under¡¡the¡¡rear¡¡wall¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lodge£»¡¡
and¡¡through¡¡the¡¡front¡¡flap¡¡was¡¡peeping¡¡out¡¡at¡¡the¡¡two¡¡logomachists¡¡by¡¡the¡¡
mosquito¡¡smudge¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡was¡¡flushed¡¡and¡¡happy¡eyed£»¡¡proud¡¡that¡¡no¡¡less¡¡a¡¡
man¡¡than¡¡the¡¡Factor¡¡£¨who¡¡stood¡¡next¡¡to¡¡God¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Northland¡¡hierarchy£©¡¡
had¡¡singled¡¡her¡¡out£»¡¡femininely¡¡curious¡¡to¡¡see¡¡at¡¡close¡¡range¡¡what¡¡manner¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡80¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡81¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Faith¡¡of¡¡Men¡¡
of¡¡man¡¡he¡¡was¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sunglare¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ice£»¡¡camp¡¡smoke£»¡¡and¡¡weather¡¡beat¡¡had¡¡
burned¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡copper¡brown£»¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡father¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡fair¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he£»¡¡
while¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fairer¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡remotely¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡glad¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡this£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡
immediately¡¡¡¡¡¡glad¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡large¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡strong£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡black¡¡
beard¡¡half¡¡frightened¡¡her£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡so¡¡strange¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Being¡¡very¡¡young£»¡¡she¡¡was¡¡unversed¡¡in¡¡the¡¡ways¡¡of¡¡men¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Seventeen¡¡
times¡¡she¡¡had¡¡seen¡¡the¡¡sun¡¡travel¡¡south¡¡and¡¡lose¡¡itself¡¡beyond¡¡the¡¡sky¡line£»¡¡
and¡¡seventeen¡¡times¡¡she¡¡had¡¡seen¡¡it¡¡travel¡¡back¡¡again¡¡and¡¡ride¡¡the¡¡sky¡¡day¡¡
and¡¡night¡¡till¡¡there¡¡was¡¡no¡¡night¡¡at¡¡all¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡through¡¡these¡¡years¡¡she¡¡had¡¡
been¡¡¡¡¡¡cherished¡¡¡¡¡¡jealously¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡Snettishane£»¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡between¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡
suitors£»¡¡listening¡¡disdainfully¡¡to¡¡the¡¡young¡¡hunters¡¡as¡¡they¡¡bid¡¡for¡¡her¡¡hand£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡turning¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡beyond¡¡¡¡¡¡price¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Snettishane¡¡
was¡¡¡¡¡¡mercenary¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Lit¡lit¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡investment¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡represented¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡
much¡¡¡¡¡¡capital£»¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡expected¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡receive£»¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡certain¡¡¡¡¡¡definite¡¡
interest£»¡¡but¡¡an¡¡incalculable¡¡interest¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡having¡¡thus¡¡been¡¡reared¡¡in¡¡a¡¡manner¡¡as¡¡near¡¡to¡¡that¡¡of¡¡the¡¡nunnery¡¡
as¡¡tribal¡¡conditions¡¡would¡¡permit£»¡¡it¡¡was¡¡with¡¡a¡¡great¡¡and¡¡maidenly¡¡anxiety¡¡
that¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡peeped¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡surely¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡her£»¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
husband¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡teach¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡unlearned¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡life£»¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
masterful¡¡being¡¡whose¡¡word¡¡was¡¡to¡¡be¡¡her¡¡law£»¡¡and¡¡who¡¡was¡¡to¡¡mete¡¡and¡¡
bound¡¡her¡¡actions¡¡and¡¡comportment¡¡for¡¡the¡¡rest¡¡of¡¡her¡¡days¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But£»¡¡peeping¡¡through¡¡the¡¡front¡¡flap¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lodge£»¡¡flushed¡¡and¡¡thrilling¡¡
at¡¡the¡¡strange¡¡destiny¡¡reaching¡¡out¡¡for¡¡her£»¡¡she¡¡grew¡¡disappointed¡¡as¡¡the¡¡
day¡¡¡¡wore¡¡¡¡¡¡along£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Factor¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡father¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡¡¡talked¡¡¡¡¡¡pompously¡¡¡¡of¡¡
matters¡¡concerning¡¡other¡¡things¡¡and¡¡not¡¡pertaining¡¡to¡¡marriage¡¡things¡¡at¡¡all¡£¡¡
As¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sun¡¡¡¡¡¡sank¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lower¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lower¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡toward¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡north¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡midnight¡¡
approached£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Factor¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡began¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡making¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡unmistakable¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡preparations¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡
departure¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡stride¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡Lit¡lit's¡¡¡¡¡¡heart¡¡¡¡¡¡sank£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡rose¡¡
again¡¡as¡¡he¡¡halted£»¡¡half¡¡turning¡¡on¡¡one¡¡heel¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Oh£»¡¡by¡¡the¡¡way£»¡¡Snettishane£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡want¡¡a¡¡squaw¡¡to¡¡wash¡¡for¡¡me¡¡
and¡¡mend¡¡my¡¡clothes¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Snettishane¡¡grunted¡¡and¡¡suggested¡¡Wanidani£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡an¡¡old¡¡woman¡¡
and¡¡toothless¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡81¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡82¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Faith¡¡of¡¡Men¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡no£»¡¨¡¡interposed¡¡the¡¡Factor¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡I¡¡want¡¡is¡¡a¡¡wife¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I've¡¡been¡¡
kind¡¡of¡¡thinking¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡struck¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡might¡¡
know¡¡of¡¡some¡¡one¡¡that¡¡would¡¡suit¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Snettishane¡¡looked¡¡interested£»¡¡whereupon¡¡the¡¡Factor¡¡retraced¡¡his¡¡steps£»¡¡
casually¡¡and¡¡carelessly¡¡to¡¡linger¡¡and¡¡discuss¡¡this¡¡new¡¡and¡¡incidental¡¡topic¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Kattou£¿¡¨¡¡suggested¡¡Snettishane¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨She¡¡has¡¡but¡¡one¡¡eye£»¡¨¡¡objected¡¡the¡¡Factor¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Laska£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Her¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡knees¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡wide¡¡¡¡¡¡apart¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡stands¡¡¡¡¡¡upright¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Kips£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡
biggest¡¡dog£»¡¡can¡¡leap¡¡between¡¡her¡¡knees¡¡when¡¡she¡¡stands¡¡upright¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Senatee£¿¡¨¡¡went¡¡on¡¡the¡¡imperturbable¡¡Snettishane¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡John¡¡Fox¡¡feigned¡¡anger£»¡¡crying£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡foolishness¡¡is¡¡this£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Am¡¡
I¡¡old£»¡¡that¡¡thou¡¡shouldst¡¡mate¡¡me¡¡with¡¡old¡¡women£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Am¡¡I¡¡toothless£¿¡¡lame¡¡
of¡¡leg£¿¡¡blind¡¡of¡¡eye£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Or¡¡am¡¡I¡¡poor¡¡that¡¡no¡¡bright¡eyed¡¡maiden¡¡may¡¡look¡¡
with¡¡favour¡¡upon¡¡me£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Behold£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡am¡¡the¡¡Factor£»¡¡both¡¡rich¡¡and¡¡great£»¡¡a¡¡
power¡¡in¡¡the¡¡land£»¡¡whose¡¡speech¡¡makes¡¡men¡¡tremble¡¡and¡¡is¡¡obeyed£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Snettishane¡¡was¡¡inwardly¡¡pleased£»¡¡though¡¡his¡¡sphinx¡like¡¡visage¡¡never¡¡
relaxed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡drawing¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Factor£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡making¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡break¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ground¡£¡¡
Being¡¡a¡¡creature¡¡so¡¡elemental¡¡as¡¡to¡¡have¡¡room¡¡for¡¡but¡¡one¡¡idea¡¡at¡¡a¡¡time£»¡¡
Snettishane¡¡could¡¡pursue¡¡that¡¡one¡¡idea¡¡a¡¡greater¡¡distance¡¡than¡¡could¡¡John¡¡
Fox¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡John¡¡¡¡¡¡Fox£»¡¡¡¡¡¡elemental¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was£»¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡¡¡complex¡¡¡¡¡¡enough¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
entertain¡¡¡¡¡¡several¡¡¡¡¡¡glimmering¡¡¡¡¡¡ideas¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡time£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡debarred¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡
pursuing¡¡the¡¡one¡¡as¡¡single¡heartedly¡¡or¡¡as¡¡far¡¡as¡¡did¡¡the¡¡chief¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Snettishane¡¡¡¡¡¡calmly¡¡¡¡¡¡continued¡¡¡¡¡¡calling¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡roster¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡eligible¡¡¡¡¡¡maidens£»¡¡
which£»¡¡name¡¡by¡¡name£»¡¡as¡¡fast¡¡as¡¡uttered£»¡¡were¡¡stamped¡¡ineligible¡¡by¡¡John¡¡
Fox£»¡¡with¡¡specified¡¡objections¡¡appended¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Again¡¡he¡¡gave¡¡it¡¡up¡¡and¡¡started¡¡
to¡¡¡¡¡¡return¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Fort¡£¡¡¡¡Snettishane¡¡¡¡watched¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡go£»¡¡¡¡making¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡effort¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
stop¡¡him£»¡¡but¡¡seeing¡¡him£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡end£»¡¡stop¡¡himself¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Come¡¡to¡¡think¡¡of¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡the¡¡Factor¡¡remarked£»¡¡¡¨we¡¡both¡¡of¡¡us¡¡forgot¡¡Lit¡¡¡
lit¡£¡¡¡¡Now¡¡I¡¡wonder¡¡if¡¡she'll¡¡suit¡¡me£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Snettishane¡¡met¡¡the¡¡suggestion¡¡with¡¡a¡¡mirthless¡¡face£»¡¡behind¡¡the¡¡mask¡¡
of¡¡which¡¡his¡¡soul¡¡grinned¡¡wide¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡distinct¡¡victory¡£¡¡Had¡¡the¡¡Factor¡¡
gone¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡step¡¡¡¡¡¡farther£»¡¡¡¡perforce¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sn