Character Analysis
Attean's grandmother isn't interested in getting to know any white folks, which isn't too surprising when you consider that her daughter was slaughtered by some white people just for the prize of her scalp. It was a horrible and intensely cruel incident, and left Attean's grandmother preferring to steer clear of white people. So though Matt gets invited to the Beaver clan's celebration following the killing of the bear (thanks to Attean and Saknis), Matt sleeps in an abandoned wigwam afterward and is whisked away early the next day.
But like Attean, his grandmother is a sucker for loyalty, so when Matt risks her wrath and his hand to save Attean's mangy, old dog, his display of loyalty melts right through her icy heart. She just can't help but make an exception for Attean's white-boy bestie.