the rest of the old spirit seemed to have done him much good , for he was very cheerful ; and , first putting his head forth from the window for a puff at a sand - hill , which was his prime luxury in a morning , he said to wassamo , " son - in - law , you have been very patient with our long absence from your company , and you shall be rewarded . in a few days you may start with your wife to visit your relations . you can be absent one year , but at the end of that time you must return . when you get to your home - village , you must first go in alone . leave your wife at a short distance from the lodge , and when you are welcome , then send for her . when there , do not be surprised that she disappears whenever you hear it thunder . " he added , with a sly look , " that old island spirit has a brother down in that part of the country . you will prosper in all things , for my daughter is very diligent . all the time that you pass in sleep , she will be at work . the distance is short to your village . a path leads directly to it , and when you get there , do not forget my wants as i stated to you before . " he related all that had happened to him from the moment of his leaving the temporary night - lodge with the flame on his head . he told them of the strange land in which he had sojourned during his absence . he added to his mother , apart from the company , that he was married , and that he had left his wife at a short distance from the village . she went out immediately in search of her ; they soon found her in the wood , and all the women in the village conducted her in honor to the lodge of her new relations . the indian people were astonished at her beauty , at the whiteness of her skin , and still more , that she was able to talk with them in their own language . the village was happy , and the feast went on as long as the supply held out . all were delighted to make the acquaintance of the old sand - spirit 's daughter ; and as they had heard that he was a magician and guardian of great power , the tobacco which he had sent for by his son - in - law , came in , in great abundance , with every visitor . the summer and fall which wassamo thus passed with his parents and the people of his tribe were prosperous with all the country . 
he wanted wassamo to be accepted first .
why did the old spirit want wassamo to leave his wife at a short distance from the lodge ?
why did the old spirit want wassamo to leave his wife at a short distance from the lodge ?