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Tsa’ni is always making remarks against the white people? That’s the way some white people are about Indians,” Mandie explained. “Even though God made us all, some white people would have you think Indians were just . . . just . . . trash or something.”
    â€œDo these white people know you are one-fourth Cherokee?” the Indian girl asked.
    â€œThey know. There was a big ruckus one day when April Snow spread the word that I was part Indian. But Miss Prudence put a stop to that real fast,” Mandie said.
    Sallie looked confused. “But you said these people at the school do not like Indians.”
    â€œEven though I’m part Indian, Miss Prudence wouldn’t dare treat me differently. You see, my Grandmother Taft is a terror sometimes.” She laughed. “She has a lot of influence among the rich people who send their daughters to the school. Miss Prudence wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of my grandmother.”
    â€œI agree that this is a very silly school you are in,” said Sallie. “They do not seem to be honest. They let wealth decide who to be nice to.”
    â€œYou’re exactly right, Sallie,” Mandie replied. “I wish I could live with my Cherokee kinpeople. There is such a difference.”
    â€œMaybe someday you can,” Sallie said. “But your mother wants you to be educated at that school, so you must do what she says.”
    â€œYes, I know,” Mandie replied. “I miss my father so much. If he had lived longer, maybe he and my mother would have gotten back together again.”
    â€œBut your father was married to that other woman,” Sallie reminded her.
    â€œI know, but things could have been different if my mother had known about me, that I didn’t really die when I was born, and that her mother, my Grandmother Taft, told my father that my mother didn’t love him anymore.”
    â€œYour grandmother told your mother that you died when you were born and made your father take you away so your mother would not try to find your father or you. Your grandmother thought she was doing the best thing for everyone,” Sallie said.
    â€œI suppose she did,” Mandie said with a big sigh.
    â€œDo you dislike your grandmother because she separated your mother and your father and you?” Sallie asked.
    â€œNo, I don’t dislike her. In fact, she’s my friend. At first she wouldn’t have anything to do with me. But then after my mother married Uncle John, and I came to school in Asheville where she lives, I finally got to know her.”
    â€œDoes Joe let you know what is going on at Charley Gap since you left there?”
    â€œAs much as he can find out,” Mandie replied. Looking into her friend’s dark eyes she added, “Joe promised to get my father’s house back for me when he gets old enough.”
    â€œAnd how is he going to do that?” Sallie asked.
    Mandie laughed. “I’m not sure. He just said leave it to him. Joe wants to be a lawyer, you know.”
    â€œThen he will learn how to get the house back,” Sallie assured her. “Joe is a brave boy.”
    Mandie looked at her in surprise. “You think so?”
    â€œYes, look what he is doing right now. He is risking his life to save the hospital for you,” Sallie replied.
    â€œI know it’s dangerous,” said Mandie, “but we have asked God to take care of them. We must trust God.”
    Meanwhile Joe and Dimar were working hard with the men, replacing wall boards at the hospital. When the workmen left for the day at five o’clock, all the walls were up around the structure.
    Joe and Dimar washed their faces and hands in the nearby creek, then sat down on the hospital steps to eat their supper.
    Uncovering the basket Morning Star had packed, Joe examined its contents. “Can you tell what this is?” he asked. “Is it fried chicken, rabbit, or