e clouds. And what would
the Father's sentence be if Pierre de Marion turned his back on a wife
and a son?

He wished he could tell Raoul that he thought he was dying. Then perhaps
his brother would understand why he had to do his duty to Sun Woman and
the boy. But he feared that if Raoul was aware of his weakness, he would
try to take over the whole estate at once.

Praying that his brother would understand, he said, "Ever since
Marie-Blanche died, I have been thinking of Sun Woman. After five years
of life together, I left her and our little son. Lately I have been
seeing her and my son, Gray Cloud, in dreams. I know God wants me to
make amends to them."

Pierre felt sweat break out on his forehead and upper lip. Why must
Raoul stir up such turmoil with his hatred? Couldn't Raoul understand
that not all red people were like the ones he had encountered? Pierre
saw Sun Woman in his mind, so strong and wise, holding the hand of their
grave, brown-eyed boy. How beautiful they were.

Elysee said, "I do not believe that Le Bon Dieu announces his intentions
in dreams, Pierre."

Always the cynic. Papa had read too much Voltaire.

Elysee turned to Raoul. "But, Raoul, it does seem simple justice, what
Pierre wants to do."

"What about justice for me?" Raoul came back. "Isn't this my home as
much as Pierre's?"

Stung by Raoul's bluster, Pierre said, "Raoul, you live more at your
trading post than you do in this home."

To Pierre's surprise, Raoul's face reddened, making Pierre wonder what,
exactly, Raoul was doing at the trading post. It had seemed natural that
he would spend most of his time there, since Papa had given him the
Illinois Fur Company when he divided his property between the two of
them. But perhaps it was not only work that kept Raoul at the trading
post night after night. A woman? Pierre found himself hoping it might
be. A woman could be good for Raoul, civilize him a bit.

He had slept there last night. How, then, could he have learned about
Pierre's plans for Sun Woman and Gray Cloud?

_Is someone in our household spying on me?_

Pierre turned to Raoul. "How did you learn about this? I was going to
tell you, but you found out before I could."

Pierre took some small satisfaction in seeing Raoul's cheeks flush a
deeper red, in seeing his hesitation. He had come storming in here
unprepared to explain just how he knew about Pierre's plans.

Raoul said, "I overheard you and Papa talking about it."