The Arrow-Maker Part 20

(_With dignity._) Cover your own heart, Padahoon, lest I ask what mischief breeds in it to bid you observe me so much. I have not forgot that you would have paid me a blanket to be made war leader in the room of Simwa.

PADAHOON

(_With ugly insinuation._) Ugh! huh! Perhaps I had been as fortunate as the Arrow-Maker, if, instead of giving it, I had offered to share it with you.

THE CHISERA

_Kima!_ Padahoon, you do tempt me to try if I can curse.

PADAHOON

(_Conciliatory._) I have no wish to anger the friend of the G.o.ds, but I am a plain man wis.h.i.+ng good to my campody, and it seems not good to me that Simwa has grown suddenly so great.

THE CHISERA

(_Recovering herself._) What has that to do with the Chisera?

PADAHOON

I have known this Simwa since he was first tied in a basket, and, though he has grown to be war leader, I think he is most like a pod of rattleweed that is swollen to twice its size at the end of the season, yet has no more in it than at the beginning. And I do not know how, without the help of magic medicine, he has come to be what he is with so little in him.

THE CHISERA

The Chief's daughter has trusted him.

PADAHOON

She loves him. (_During this scene bursts of Indian music and singing have been heard at intervals. It grows louder._ PADAHOON _and_ CHISERA _look off._) They come this way, Chisera. You are right. When a man has married so fair a wife, there is not much left to be done for him.

THE CHISERA

(_With bitter irony, as she moves over against_ SIMWA'S _hut and puts up her blanket._) I am not so sure.

TIAWA

It is Chisera.

SEEGOOCHE

(_With alarm._) Where is my daughter?

(BRIGHT WATER _enters with the young girls, laughing and talking.

Her hair is braided with golden poppies and falls over her shoulders. She sees the_ CHISERA _standing, tall and still, by_ SIMWA'S _hut, her whole figure shrouded in a blanket, which is drawn up to cover all of her face but the eyes._)

BRIGHT WATER

Who is it comes to my wedding uninvited? How her eyes burn upon me!

SEEGOOCHE

Hus.h.!.+ She will hear you. It is the Chisera.

BRIGHT WATER

The Chisera? Never have I seen her like this. But she has come to bring me a blessing.

SEEGOOCHE

Do not speak to her, my daughter; she is not in the humor for it.

BRIGHT WATER

Shall I not be courteous to the first guest who has come to my husband's house? Chisera, I am pleased that you have come to bless my marriage.

THE CHISERA

(_Out of her blanket._) Where is Simwa?

BRIGHT WATER

He comes soon. (_Going to her._) Last night I thought of you, and how you alone, of all Sagharawite, had kept away from my happiness--

SEEGOOCHE

Let be, daughter. (_Pulling her sleeve._) It is ill stirring a coiled snake. (_To the_ CHISERA, _with intent to draw her off._) Come this way, Chisera, and I will show you the wedding presents.

THE CHISERA

(_Lowering her blanket a little._) Show me the Arrow-Maker.

(_The elder men have entered, among them_ RAIN WIND.)

CHIEF

What is this?

TIAWA

It is the Chisera asking for Simwa.

MEN

Ah! ah! ah--ah!

(_Exchanging glances of inquiry and amazement._)

CHIEF

Who is that behind her?