He was slightly doubtful of both conditions, when he came to think of it seriously.

This spring he had felt grown-up enough to swear a little at the horses, sometimes--and he was not sure that shooting the Indian that time would not be counted a crime by God, who loved all His creatures.

Mother always stuck to it that Injuns were God's creatures--which brought Buddy squarely against the incredible assumption that God must love them.

He did not in the least mean to be irreverent, but when he watched those painted bucks his opinion of God changed slightly.

He decided that he himself was neither pure nor full of faith, and that he would not pray just yet.