White Bear's heart was beating like a dance drum. The buffalo-hide flap was pulled down over the door, showing that if anyone was within they wanted privacy.
"The wickiup of Sun Woman," said Water Flows Fast. "And of Redbird." She looked at him expectantly.
"There is no one here," said White Bear.
This brought shouts of laughter from the women around him. He wished they would all go away.
"I saw Redbird go in there," said Water Flows Fast, "and I did not see her come out."
White Bear's discomfort increased as he watched her face redden and her cheeks puff out. It seemed that mirth would make her burst.
Every beat of his heart seemed to shake his whole body. He looked around slowly, trying to calm himself. Even if Redbird had waited for him, his sudden return must have shocked her. She needed time to prepare herself to meet him. And, like him, she did not want all these women watching their meeting and laughing. He would simply have to wait until Redbird was ready to greet him.
A rack of crisscrossed wooden sticks for drying skins stood by the closed doorway. Slowly, deliberately, he walked over to the rack, leaned his rifle against it, and laid down his pack and bags.
Then, turning his back on the wickiup, he sat down cross-legged on the ground.
Water Flows Fast looked at him, open-mouthed.