Strang joked about soon adding some more wives and soon starting a
school for his own children, at which they all laughed. He talked
continually, trying to have them all know that he was the king and
having authority to rule his subjects as he pleased. When dinner was
ended they went to the new cottage, Strang and the favorite wife, the
other three women remained at home. Father said none of the other women
ever came with Strang to see how the work progressed, only this one that
he most always called "Charles." Father said this young woman was very
pleasant and greatly pleased with the house. Strang seemed very
affectionate to this wife. Every pleasant day they were walking about
together. When father came home he said he was glad to be home again.
They were all very kind to him, but it seemed terrible to see people
live in that way. He told mother the women had sad faces when people saw
them at their work. When Strang came again he said to mother, "I am
going to make a Mormon of your husband and what will you do when he
brings home more wives?" Mother said "I hope that will never happen, and
if it should the women that come into my home will not have a happy
time." Strang looked at her saying, "We could find a way to make
everything agreeable in a very short time." Then he laughed, saying, "If
you were a Mormon, Mrs. Whitney, you would think differently about these
things. We believe in this doctrine and that is why we are happy."
Mother said to him, "Now you can't make me believe you are as happy as
you want us to think you are." He said no more and appeared thoughtful.
After he was gone mother said to father. "Do take us away from this
island. I am afraid of that man. No one knows what he may do yet."