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He did not look at me, but cut a piece offishing after supper You like the perch fried for your breakfast, do you not?"

"Yes, I do like it, very much, thank you," I said "But Robbie, I really htened "As you wish, madaether, and said good night to the clan The evening was hot; sweat trickled down my neck and I could smell the sourness in Robbie's clothes as ent down the path

"Has Pete not provided you with clean linen?" I asked

"Pete has been working in the field with the rest of us," he said "Clean linen is not of particular concern"

At the cabin I cliround, looking up at me; I said before I could think, "I saw you today with that Indian woman"

He came up the steps slowly

"I saw you with her and her child," I said, choking on tears

He stood looking down at ht; when he spoke, my breath left me

"Her name is Eco, and she was my Creek wife," he said "I am her child's father"

I found my breath "Was your wife?" I whispered, as the porch tilted away from me I held onto the rail "Was your wife? What is she to you now? Your whore?"

I was stunned when he laughed "You little hypocrite!" he said

My breath was now heaving in my chest "How dare you!" I hissed at him "I ae between Christians and heathens!"

He laughed again, but it was not a sound of mirth "Ach, yes! The law made you my wife-after you te into mine

"You, my insatiable little wanton! You would have remained my whore indefinitely, had I not married you, would you not?"

The truth in his words ry I wanted to strike him "I have been your wife in my heart since I was thirteen years old and fell in love with you," I said, e "How could you, Robbie? Have you no respect for me, your true wife?