which, and he knows their practices, and how they live.
Sometimes he even knows the Indians better than Jon Red Feather, 'cause
you see, Red Feather is a Blackfoot Sioux, and he thinks that the world
begins and ends with the Sioux!
If you're telling the truth--oh, my dear! I didn't mean that! I know
you're not telling fibs! But if you're right about it being white men,
why, Jamie will find that out. He won't let the Comanche be blamed for
some atrocity they didn't commit!'
Tess was silent. Dolly spoke again, softly.
'If it isn't Lieutenant Slater who takes you, it might be the colonel
himself. His wife was killed by Pawnees before the war, and he ain't
ever forgiven any Indian since. Or else there's Sergeant Givens, and
he's an Indian hater, too. Or Corporal Lorsby, and he's a lad barely
shaving, he won't be too much good to you. Oh, wait just a minute, I've
got some shampoo here, all the way from Boston.'
'I don't want to use your good' -- 'Come, come, what good does it do to
this old head of mine? Use it!
Your hair will smell just like spring rosebuds, and every bit as sweet
as sunshine.'
Tess accepted the shampoo. She disappeared beneath the water to soak her
hair, then she scrubbed and rinsed it. As she rose from the water again,
Dolly was still talking to her.
'Lieutenant Lorsby, he's a good boy. He's just untried.
He's never been in a battle. He came from the east, and I'm sure he's a
bright and wonderful boy, but he don't know a Kiowa from a Chinaman, and
that's a fact. You really need to think about this, you know.'
Tess nodded, feeling a chill as the steamy water cooled. Maybe she did
need Lieutenant Slater after all. She smiled at Dolly.
'Could I have the towel, please?'
Dolly held it, and Tess stepped from the bath, wrapped the towel around
her and took a seat before the fire as she started to dry her hair.
'All right, Dolly, so tell me, please, just what is it about this Miss.
Eliza that's so horrible.'
'why, I'm not quite sure.
'Ceptin' she seems to think that she's God's gift to the men of the
cavalry.
Jamie's the only one who's never fawned over her, and I think that's
exactly why she's set her cap for him! He ~ms to be amused most of the
time, but the woman does have a wicked fine shape, and a wicked heart
and mind to go along.
You'll see. Now sit back, and I'll bring you your tea, and then some of
the finest Irish stew you'll ever taste. Then I'll see to getting the
rest of your things brought in. I have a nightgown for you, right over
there on the bed. Once you're all ~uched in, I'll see to the rest. You
need to get some sleep.' Dolly brought her tea, then the stew, and it
was delicious.
Tess hadn't felt so warmed and cared for since. Since Joe had died.
The thought brought her close to tears again, but she didn't shed them.
She finished eating and put on the nightgown Dolly had provided for her.
