He had not said the thing
before, even to himself, but it was in his heart to hate his
love, because it had cost this catastrophe to his friends.
"Kay bueno." Peppajee's voice was harsh. But after a time he
spoke more sympathetically. "Yo' no watchum. Yo' let heap
trouble come. This day yo' heart bad, mebbyso. This day yo' no
thinkum squaw all time. Mebbyso yo' thinkum fight, no sabe how
yo' fight."
Grant nodded silently. It would seem that Peppajee understood,
even though his speech was halting. At that moment much of the
unfounded prejudice, which had been for a few days set aside
because of bigger things, died within him. He had disliked
Peppajee as a pompous egotist among his kind. His latent
antagonism against all Indians because they were unwelcomely his
blood relatives had crystallized here and there against; certain
individuals of the tribe. Old Hagar he hated coldly. Peppajee's
staginess irritated him. In his youthful arrogance he had not
troubled to see the real man of mettle under that dingy green
blanket.
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