"The step which Shing-wauk has taken is a very serious one. Now he
will have to think for two. Now he must supply the wants of two. Now
he will realize what trouble is. But the One who made us . . . The
Great Mystery . . . The Master of Life . . . made us right. The man
has his work to do, and the woman has hers. The man must hunt and kill
animals, and the woman must skin and dress them. The man must always
stand by her and she by him. The two together are strong . . . and
there is no need of outside assistance. Remember . . . my
grandchildren . . . you are starting out together that way . . ."

To illustrate his meaning, he held up two fingers parallel, and added:

"If your tracks fork . . . they will soon be as far apart as sunrise is
from sunset . . . and you will find many ready to come in between.
Carry on in the way you have begun . . . for that is the way you should
end. And remember . . . if your tracks once fork . . . they will never
come together again . . . my grandchildren . . . I have spoken."

After Little Pine's father, as well as several of the guests, had made
their remarks, Naudin, Neykia's mother, rose to address her daughter.
Overcome with nervousness, she pulled her shawl so far over her face as
to leave only a tiny peep-hole through which to look. Hesitatingly she
began:

"My daughter, you never knew what trouble is, now you will know. You
never knew what hard work is, now you will soon learn. Never let your
husband want for anything. Never allow another woman to do anything
for him; if you do . . . you are lost. When you have children, my
daughter, and they grow up, your sons will always be sons to you, even
though they be gray-headed. But with your daughters it will not be so;