Dirty politics ruled Leonard Colby's life. The newspaper consumed Clara. The scandal of divorce hung over the feminist cause. Both Clara and Leonard gave money to Maud. The oldest Colby child, an adopted orphan named Clarence, was mentally under-developed was in need of special help.

And where was Zintka, the Lost Bird of Wounded Knee?

She was hugging visiting Lakota chiefs, on their way to talk to the Great Father in Washington. Even with the gift of a sacred red feather, Zintka refused to let go.

She was hearing The Song of Hiawatha, and looking for herself in Longfellow's heroine. Clara bathed her in the stories of Pocahontas and Sacagawea, and the romantic tale of Zintka's mother who saved her from death.

Zintka discovered music. In the percussion of the piano, the drive of early Ragtime, in the sounds of dance and celebrations that poured from the speak-easies - Zintka found a genetic language that pulled forth the ancient drum from her soul. Like a shadow, the young Zintka would disappear from her mother's side. She transfixed herself on the white turbans of the black washerwomen in the back alleys, their Jubba songs pounded out with clapping hands and washbins. She slipped onto piano benches beside negro Ragtime players in the illicit bars of Washington, as dandies cakewalked and strutted their pain to the music.

She knew their music from long ago. She saw her face in their dusky shades. Her life of White was gaining more color, hoping to find the shade and spirit that she matched the most.

Children see no color in play and joy. With excitement, Zintka entered her parlor holding the hand of a new young, black girl playmate. In the room was Clara, hosting a tea for distinguished Suffragette society ladies. Teacups went quiet as liberal, feminist minds were sealed with shock. The black girl was escorted out of the house, and Zintka was told never to play with such colors again.

By white children, Zintka was called chinee, tar baby, squaw, nigger. Black playmates were forbidden, and there were no Indians in her life to serve as role models. Leonard Colby's trophy child began to feel tarnished.

Mrs. Waller came to the house one day. She was the wife of the former consulate of Madagascar. She and Clara spoke of the plight of women, of the injustices of racism. Zintka appeared as silently as she could disappear. Taking the lady by the hand, three-year old Zintka consoled her: