Part 87 (2/2)
”This is folly, Lois--”
”Euan, you vex me. Lie beside me. Here is sufficient blanket room and pillow. And if you do not sleep presently and let me sleep too, our wits will all be sadly addled when they summon us.”
So I stretched myself out beside her and looked up, open eyed, into darkness.
”Sleep well,” she whispered, smothering a little laugh.
”Sleep safely, Lois.”
”That is why I desired you--so I might sleep safely, knowing myself safe when you are, too. And you are safe only when you are at my side.
Do you follow my philosophy?”
I said presently: ”This is our White Bridal, Lois. The ceremony completes itself by dawn.”
”Save that the Sagamore is but a heathen priest, truly I feel myself already wedded to you, so solemn was our pretty rite.... Dare you kiss me, Euan? You never have. Christians betrothed may kiss each other once, I think.”
”Not such as we--if the rite means anything to us.”
”Why?”
”Not on the White Bridal night--if we regard this rite as sacred.”
”I feel its sacredness. That is why I thought no sin if you should kiss me--on such a night.”
She sat up in her blanket; and I sat up, too.
* ”Tekasenthos,” she said.
[* ”I am weeping.”]
* ”Chetena, you are laughing!”
[* ”Mouse.”]
* ”Neah. Tekasenthos!” she insisted.
[* ”No, I am weeping.”]
”Why?”
”You do not love me,” she remarked, kicking off one ankle moccasin.
* ”Kenonwea-sasita-ha-wiyo, chetenaha!” I said, laughing.
[* ”I love your beautiful foot, little mouse.”]
* ”Akasita? Katontats. But is that all of me you love?”
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