"Wait a moment and she will come back," said Mrs. Ripley to her own
child. She knew what the movement meant: Omas did not wish anyone
to see him and Linna.

On the outside he moved to the left, and glanced around to make
sure that no person was looking that way. Then he lifted the little
one from the ground; she threw her arms around his neck, and he
pressed her to his breast and kissed her several times with great
warmth. Then he set her down, and she ran laughing into the house,
while he strode off to the woods.

But at the moment of entering them he stopped abruptly, wheeled
about, and walked slowly back toward the cabin.

Upon the return of Linna, Mrs. Ripley stepped to the front door to
look for her son. He was not in sight, but Omas had stopped again
hardly a rod distant. He stood a moment, looking fixedly at her,
and then beckoned with his free hand for her to approach.

Without hesitation she stepped off the broad flat stone and went
to him.

"What is it, Omas?" she asked in an undertone, pausing in front of
him, and gazing up into the grim, painted countenance.

The Delaware returned the look for a few seconds, as if studying
how to say what was in his mind. Then in a voice lower even than
hers, he said--"You--little girl--big boy--go way soon--
must not stay here."