"Well, I suppose I can attempt it," Clara was willing to be of what help she could in response to Shade's request. He must really be eager as he certainly would find out a lot more at his ranch about this sort of thing.
But that's when none other than Arabella, now garbed like she had just been to a funeral service, entered and simply butted right into the conversation. So like the girl. As she started to speak............good lord! She wasn't really talking like THAT to this Indian?
John Warbow could tell from the expressions on Mr. and Mrs. Lutz's faces that the new arrival had disturbed them in some manner. In fact, Shade looked very bemused as well. Logically, considering how the child spoke to him, they were afraid he would take offense. However, Warbow had learned long ago not to equate everything an Anglo said or did with being purposely insulting or offensive. Most people had no idea how to interact with those not of their kind. In fact, in his years of observing the bilagáana, they often had issues communicating with one another, let alone people of an entirely different culture.
He rose to his feet and faced the girl, bowing his head gravely in greeting, his voice and tone were gentle and respectful as he responded to her, "Yá’át’ééh. Shí éí, Walks in Snow, yinishyé Gaagii Kinyaa’áanii," Warbow paused and translated himself rather than look to Shade to do it. Chances of the young woman being fluent in Navajo was slim. "Hello, Walks in Snow, I am called Gaagii Kinyaa’áanii, Raven of the Towering House People. My bilagáana names are Gaagii Wintersong and John Warbow."
Here Warbow paused for a moment, "I am a hatáli of the Diné, a singer of the Navajo. I am afraid, however, that it is not legal for me to officiate a wedding...regretfully. However, should you marry, I would be happy to offer the blessings of the Diné on your House so that you and your family may walk in beauty."
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
As the red man rose, towering high above the diminutive girl, she looked up in awe but with no sign of fear. After the warning about what would happen to her friend Caroline had come true, Arabella had learned to trust the ancient wrinkled medicine woman who sometimes appeared in her dreams.
"Yá’át’ééh. Shí éí, Walks in Snow, yinishyé Gaagii Kinyaa’áanii," Warbow paused and translated himself rather than look to Shade to do it. Chances of the young woman being fluent in Navajo was slim. "Hello, Walks in Snow, I am called Gaagii Kinyaa’áanii, Raven of the Towerhing House People. My bilagáana names are Gaagii Wintersong and John Warbow."
"Ohhh, that's real injun talk!" she gasped "And you're called Raven of the Towering House People? Raven, just like I was told I'd meet." she looked wistful for a moment, this man was so different, so alien, yet somehow she felt right at home with him, more so than with some of the white folk she knew.
"Bi-la-gaa-na. Is that like white folks? Does that mean I can't call you Mr Raven?" she asked, perhaps a little disappointed if that was the case. He could call her Walks in Snow any old time he liked!
"So how about... what I asked?" she probed. She would normally never talk about this in front of Clara and Jacob, let alone the complete stranger Mr Thornton, but she only had eyes for the big Navajo who, standing as erect, proud and immovable as a totem pole she offered her supplication before.
"In the eyes of the white man, the Bi-la-gaa-na..." she tried to say it in his beautiful language "... my love and I cannot marry. I hoped that you... that you..." she trailed off. The words of the old lady in the dreams were clear at the time, even though they weren't in English, but now... It didn't matter, John Warbow seemed to read her mind.
Here Warbow paused for a moment, "I am a hatáli of the Diné, a singer of the Navajo. I am afraid, however, that it is not legal for me to officiate a wedding...regretfully. However, should you marry, I would be happy to offer the blessings of the Diné on your House so that you and your family may walk in beauty."
Arabella looked sad and shrugged. "Oh. Well, my family's all up and died, I only got Miriam. That's why I want us to be more kinda prop'ly joined up, y'know?" she told the big man frankly while Jacob, aware of his friend Arabella's sexuality but thinking it something that she should keep closeted well under her little black bonnet, coughed loudly and exclaimed:
"Say Reb, maybe this is something you and Mister Warbow should discuss by yourselves another time. Er... how's the funeral business going? I hear people are dying to use your services!" he quipped, trying to distract her from her current topic of conversation.
Clara was relieved that this John Warbow had not taken offense by Arabella and her strange ways and even stranger babble. Arabella was not an Indian, Walks in Snow indeed ....more like Walks Deep in Horse Manure. Obviously, she was not about to voice all this though, just stood there listening to the two of them talk.
What was Arabella going on about anyway? Being married? Clara had not heard of any boy she was even interested in. In fact....yes, the girl herself now mentioned that Jewish girl, Miriam. Clara tried not to think about that whole possible ...relationship. But frankly it was none of her business. Still, this whole conversation now should not be carrying on in public and even worse, in the diner. She wanted to interrupt but .....
"Say Reb, maybe this is something you and Mister Warbow should discuss by yourselves another time. Er... how's the funeral business going? I hear people are dying to use your services!" her husband Jacob now quipped.
Clara glared at Jacob, "That is not funny, dear. Though you are correct about the first part."
Then she looked back to the others, "Arabella, Mr. Thornton had asked a question before you barged into the conversation. Perhaps you should conduct your business here with John Warbow later..........elsewhere?"
Arabella looked sad and shrugged. "Oh. Well, my family's all up and died, I only got Miriam. That's why I want us to be more kinda prop'ly joined up, y'know?" she told the big man frankly while Jacob, aware of his friend Arabella's sexuality but thinking it something that she should keep closeted well under her little black bonnet, coughed loudly and exclaimed:
"Say Reb, maybe this is something you and Mister Warbow should discuss by yourselves another time. Er... how's the funeral business going? I hear people are dying to use your services!" he quipped, trying to distract her from her current topic of conversation.
Warbow now understood why the young woman was asking him to officiate a marriage between her and her beloved. What she was asking was taboo amongst the overwhelming majority of Anglos. He could see that even Shade was looking uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had gone although he did not wear the look of disgust that so many whites would have. Then again, Shade had grown up amongst the Diné.
"Child," Warbow said, his voice soft and kind although no pity showed in his eyes or on his face, "I am sorry to say that although I can perform a marriage ceremony for you and will be happy to do so if you wish, it will have no legal standing amongst your people. I do not know much about the legal systems of the Anglos, but perhaps you could make a legal document that indicates a desire to share your property?"
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
"Child," Warbow said, his voice soft and kind although no pity showed in his eyes or on his face, "I am sorry to say that although I can perform a marriage ceremony for you and will be happy to do so if you wish, it will have no legal standing amongst your people. I do not know much about the legal systems of the Anglos, but perhaps you could make a legal document that indicates a desire to share your property?"
Arabella could hardly contain herself. "Oh we don't need nuthin' legal, Mr Warbow, and as for money - I look after all that, Dolly's such a noodle-ninny with that stuff, but a CEREMONY! Oh, Lawd, that would be just wonderful. Oooh! Do you think we should both wear wedding dresses, or maybe indian outfits? I know where we can get a couple of..."
"Say Reb, maybe this is something you and Mister Warbow should discuss by yourselves another time. Er... how's the funeral business going? I hear people are dying to use your services!" Jacob now quipped.
Clara glared at Jacob, "That is not funny, dear. Though you are correct about the first part."
The girl in black looked around and suddenly realised she was in the company of another man she didn't recognise particularly. She had maybe glimpsed him once a long, long time ago. Someplace in the snow, months ago.
"Oooops!"
Then she looked back to the others, "Arabella, Mr. Thornton had asked a question before you barged into the conversation. Perhaps you should conduct your business here with John Warbow later..........elsewhere?"
"Mr Thor...?" the girl's eyes narrowed "Not Shade Thornton, the feller what's marrying that school marm?! Well, is your Miss Bowen needin' any bridesmaids, cause I'm the best in town, ain't I Clara? And she'd best get a move on, too: I hear tell that she's fit t' turn 30 next year, is that right?" Arbabella babbled.
Clara frowned, "Arabella, you can't get married to another ....female." Clara knew Miriam and she really wasn't even old enough yet to qualify as a woman in her opinion. But the whole idea was just nonsense.
At least suddenly Arabella seemed to realize there was another person in this conversation, Shade Thornton and the girl had butted into an ongoing discussion.
"Ooops!"
'Oops' was right. Clara gave Arabella a stern look.
"Mr Thor...?" the girl's eyes narrowed "Not Shade Thornton, the feller what's marrying that school marm?! Well, is your Miss Bowen needin' any bridesmaids, cause I'm the best in town, ain't I Clara? And she'd best get a move on, too: I hear tell that she's fit t' turn 30 next year, is that right?" Arabella babbled.
Clara sighed, how did the girl have enough room in that mouth of hers to shove BOTH feet into it?
‘Over the Mountains of the Moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow, ride, boldly ride, The Shade replied - If you seek for El Dorado
As Warbow politely bowed out of the conversations, Shade stared about him, a bit bemused, a bit embarrassed, and a bit uncomfortable with Arabella's request. Only the fact that he had spent a great of his life with the Diné allowed him to not be totally aghast at the girl's request. Marry another woman! Shade wanted to shake his head, but refrained. Fortunately, Warbow had handled things as he usually did, with kindness and diplomacy.
"Mr Thor...?" the girl's eyes narrowed "Not Shade Thornton, the feller what's marrying that school marm?! Well, is your Miss Bowen needin' any bridesmaids, cause I'm the best in town, ain't I Clara? And she'd best get a move on, too: I hear tell that she's fit t' turn 30 next year, is that right?" Arabella babbled.
Hearing his name brought Shade back to the present. This time, he felt a mix of amusement and mortification since all that had been on his mind was getting home, not on what...or who...awaited him here in Kalispell. "Uh, yes ma'am, Shade Thornton," he replied. "As far as being engaged to Miss Bowen, I have been away for quite awhile on...business. Haven't had an opportunity to speak with her yet. Stopped in here to get something to eat and catch up on the news."
Well this conversation went from one uncomfortable topic to another as Clara now listened to Arabella talk about Shade and that hussy schoolmarm he was going to be marrying. At first Clara had been so hurt by it all, perhaps most by having to find out from Charlie (who enjoyed telling her it all far too much by the way) instead of the man himself. It was why she quit her job at Lost Lake, the children had been wonderful and she still missed them. But - soon enough she would have one of her own and she was older, wiser now. She realized her infatuation with Shade had been a girl's silliness, she was a proper woman now and deeply in love with her kindly and handsome husband. Whatever anger she once had about the whole thing was long gone. Shade was now a friend.
Arabella was as blunt as always about her words on the schoolteacher and Shade's relationship with her. Would she ever learn what was proper to talk about and say and what was out of line? Clara had her doubts.
"Don't forget, Reb, school's in session, Miss Bowen's busy with the kids." Jacob reminded Arabella "Why don't you and Clara tell Mr Thornton what he's missed in the last couple o' months?"
Miss Mudd frowned for a second, then smiled broadly. "All righty!" she said and pulled out a chair. She looked at Clara and wondered out loud "What shall we tell these gents about first, Clara-Anne? How about the horrible fiery death of Mr Richard Orr?!!! Or about how Mr McVey's had to issue two retractions for folks what he's slandered, including yours truly? Or how Miss Steelgrave's gonna build a hospital ? Or..."
"Slow down, Arabella. We wish to inform not overwhelm the man," Clara chided.
"I am certain, Shade, that when you do get back to the ranch Quentin and your hands will tell you all about the late troubles between Steelgrave and your ranch. But there have been some deaths. Quentin shot and killed three Evergreen men who waylaid him out on the far eastern ridgeline. The marshal did not press any charges so must have been satisfied. Other deaths have been - like Ara mentioned - town board member Mr. Orr who died in somewhat gruesome circumstances. Oh and Mr. Crabbe shot himself...officially. No charges there either. And then the current saloon owner shot and killed Frank ...Grimes I believe? I am not well acquainted with that sort of fellow, it was said he was a troublemaker and drinker. The woman who owned the saloon had already sold it and then left for California. Oh yes, and Mrs. Poteet hung herself. Again I did not know her or her husband but she left behind a young girl."
"I have not yet met the new owner but Arabella certainly knows him. She quit after he took over. Is that correct?" Clara looked to Ara for confirmation of that.
Clara now gave a speech almost as long as one of Arabella's and the girl from Virginia rolled her eyes at Shade's indian companion and gasped "Oh Lawd, Mr Warbow, how she does rattle on!"
"I have not yet met the new owner but Arabella certainly knows him. She quit after he took over. Is that correct?" Clara looked to Ara for confirmation of that.
"I'll say I quit: Frank Fortner's a cheatin', lyin' snake, and I didn't want no 'guilt by association', me being a good God Fearing Methodist girl!" she declared to Shade before turning to John in an aside and adding, in reassuring tones "Southern Methodist, o' course." the denomination having split in two before the war.
"Course, he gets away with it 'cause he's got confederates, an' I don't mean good confederates like General Lee an' Stonewall Jackson an' A.P. Hill an' General Johnston an' Jeb Stuart an' Nathan Bedford Forrest and James Longstreet an' Braxton Bragg an' George Pickett an' Barnard Elliot Bee - o' course, people always forget about him! - an' well anyway, not that kind of confederate, I mean like that nasty old Hiram Priest." She didn't mention that her friend Caroline had been forced into helping the wicked saloon owner, too.