w."

_Redbird!_

He felt almost dizzy at the sound of her name, a name he had not heard
spoken aloud in six years.

As soon as Water Flows Fast spoke, she started to giggle, putting her
hands over her mouth. Many of the other women in the group giggled too.
White Bear wanted to hide his burning face. He had forgotten how painful
it could be to be made fun of by those who knew him so well.

But joy blazed up in his chest. Redbird living with Sun Woman? He wanted
to whoop with happiness, even as Wolf Paw had whooped with rage. That
could only mean that she had not taken a husband.

Then he took a deep breath and stiffened his body to hide his feelings.
He looked at the laughing faces all around him, especially the bright,
curious eyes of Water Flows Fast. If they saw how excited he was, they
would laugh at him all the more.

Trying to keep his voice steady, he asked, "Where is my mother's
wickiup?"

With a knowing smile--but what was it that she knew?--Water Flows Fast
beckoned to the wickiup of Sun Woman--and Redbird. "Come. I will take
you."

She turned, her fringed skirt swinging. The women parted to make way for
her. Shouldering his rifle, White Bear followed. Three Horses walked
beside him. White Bear heard the whisper of many moccasins and the
murmur of many voices behind him.

Water Flows Fast marched up to a wickiup near the center of the camp.
The dark, rounded shelter of sheets of elm bark and tree limbs was
small, just big enough for two people, three at the most.

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 si