Part 51 (1/2)
”Pacohuila!” cried Madame, with an imperious gesture. ”Allaye!
Come--”
Ciccio laid down his mandoline and went to kiss the fingers of Kishwegin. Alvina also went forward. Madame held out her hand.
Alvina kissed it. Madame laid her hand on the head of Alvina.
”This is the squaw Allaye, this is the daughter of Kishwegin,” she said, in her Tawara manner.
”And where is the _brave_ of Allaye, where is the arm that upholds the daughter of Kishwegin, which of the Swallows spreads his wings over the gentle head of the new one!”
”Pacohuila!” said Louis.
”Pacohuila! Pacohuila! Pacohuila!” said the others.
”Spread soft wings, spread dark-roofed wings, Pacohuila,” said Kishwegin, and Ciccio, in his s.h.i.+rt-sleeves solemnly spread his arms.
”Stoop, stoop, Allaye, beneath the wings of Pacohuila,” said Kishwegin, faintly pressing Alvina on the shoulder.
Alvina stooped and crouched under the right arm of Pacohuila.
”Has the bird flown home?” chanted Kishwegin, to one of the strains of their music.
”The bird is home--” chanted the men.
”Is the nest warm?” chanted Kishwegin.
”The nest is warm.”
”Does the he-bird stoop--?”
”He stoops.”
”Who takes Allaye?”
”Pacohuila.”
Ciccio gently stooped and raised Alvina to her feet.
”C'est ca!” said Madame, kissing her. ”And now, children, unless the Sheffield policeman will knock at our door, we must retire to our wigwams all--”
Ciccio was watching Alvina. Madame made him a secret, imperative gesture that he should accompany the young woman.
”You have your key, Allaye?” she said.
”Did I have a key?” said Alvina.
Madame smiled subtly as she produced a latch-key.
”Kishwegin must open your doors for you all,” she said. Then, with a slight flourish, she presented the key to Ciccio. ”I give it to him?
Yes?” she added, with her subtle, malicious smile.