o you as other women to the wickiups
of their husbands?

SIMWA

What need, Chisera, when I come so often to yours?

THE CHISERA

The need of women to serve openly where they love.

SIMWA

But what service could you do me when you had lost the respect of the
tribesmen? You know the tribal custom. It is not for the friend of
the gods to dig roots and dress venison.

(_Throws himself on the bank beside her._)

THE CHISERA

I have not found the gods any the less friendly since I have loved,
Arrow-Maker; and I know not why it should seem strange to others that
I should know love as--as we have known it. Only to-day the girls of
the village came to me to buy a charm to keep their lovers safe in
war. There was not one but dared to ask, even though she would not
speak her lover's name for bashfulness. See, one of them gave me this
to make medicine upon.

SIMWA

(_Taking it._) Bright Water gave you this?

THE CHISERA

(_Surprised._) How did you know?

SIMWA

I thought you said--that is, I have seen her wear it. Did she tell
you from whom she had it?

THE CHISERA

Not by his name, but by the way he looked to her.

SIMWA

How was that?

THE CHISERA

As every lover looks to every maid--tall and strong and straight of
back. Even as you look to me, Beloved.

SIMWA

(_Relieved, giving back the amulet._) May your medicine preserve him.
And, as for me, Chisera, I wish I could persuade the tribesmen to
look as favorably on me as you do.

THE CHISERA

But you have no enemies.

SIMWA

The Sparrow Hawk, without doubt. Could you give me a curse for him?

THE CHISERA

(_Rising._) Ah, you should not have asked me that. Never since my
father died have I thought to regret that he did not teach me the
making of evil medicine. Would I had all the curses in the world!
(_Turning piteously to him._) But you do not love me any the less
because I have not one little, little curse to give you?

SIMWA

No, it is nothing. No curse can reach me past your blessing. But I
would not have thought the old man would leave you wholly
unprotected. Why, even I could wrong you, and, without a curse
(_trying to speak lightly_) you could not punish me for it.

THE CHISERA

If no one does me no more wrong than you, Simwa, I need no cursing.
But, in truth, my father did give me--Ah, now I have thought of
another gift for you, Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite! Before he died, the
medicine m