Eve' NP FReun

Emily's Chronicles: Part 26: Eve's Nez Perce Family Reunion (PG)

By Trish and Tammy

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fanfiction. Emily of New Moon was created by L.M. Montgomery and is the property of her, her estate, and her heirs, not me. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit was made.

"Who was that?" Emily asked when Francis came strolling back into the
classroom. He was trying to veil a smile, not a laughing smile, one of
amazement at the wonders that always seemed to find their way to this tiny
town in the middle of nowhere. Emily's eyes were wide with excitement. Her
mind was already conjuring up wild tales of what could have brought the
Native family to Blair Water. Then she noticed something, "Where's Gussy
Dan?" She asked.

"Did they kidnap him?" Perry asked jumping up from his seat.

"Of course not." Francis said laughing this time at such a perposturous
idea. "He's taken them home to find Eve at their Collie Farm."

"Why?" Emily questioned, growing concerned.

"They are old friends of hers." He answered, patting her head.

"Oh, of course. From when she was out west down in the states." Emily
suddenly realized with relief. "I wonder if they know Joe, too."

"Could be. I'm sure Eve will introduce us all in due time." Francis assured
her.

"I'm going straight over their after school, and meet them." Emily vowed.
"Ilse, come with me."

"I don't know Emily." Ilse looked apprehensive. "Don't you
know...about...about..."

"About what." Emily demanded.

Ilse couldn't bring herself to say it, she only lifted up one of her blond
locks and gave Emily an intense look.

"That doesn't happen anymore. They look like perfectly nice people." Emily
reproached her friend.

"Your absolutely right, Emily." Francis agreed with her. "That certainly
doesn't happen anymore. Besides it was the English who started that, not the natives. Ilse you'll be fine. But it might be a better idea for you two to let them have some time to settle in first." He offered.

Emily said nothing, only gave Ilse a knowing look which the girl recognized well. She had seen it many times. It meant they would making the trek to the Collie Farm this afternoon no matter who liked it. No one could change Emily's mind once it was made up. It was the Murray in her. Ilse swallowed hard, and vowed to follow Emily into the unknown. The thought occured to her that she was glad that her father and Laura were
having a child. 'They may need one to replace me after today.' She thought
to herself and then turning her attention to her teacher tried not to think
about, it.

Francis walked to the front of the class and took a book from the shelf
under the chalkboard. Taking advantage of the teachable moment he asked as he
openned the book. "Has anyone ever heard of The Trail of Tears?"....

The rest of the afternoon was spent discussing story about the Cherokee
Nation's being dispossessed from their homeland, and their eventual march to
the so-called Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Emily was rivetted.
___________________________________________

That afternoon Francis returned to the cottage to find Isabel pacing
nervously around the parlor. She was holding Byron and Lucy in each arm and
peering out of windows every few seconds. He saw her as he walked toward
the house from the gate, Duke jumping at his feet to greet him. Francis could barely contain himself as he openned the front door, he was anticipating a long and loving welcome. Isabel had not seen
her husband approach the house and turned in what he perceived as joy at his
returning home.

"Oh, it you." She said a bit disappointed.

Francis stood in the doorway a little taken aback. "The honeymoon over
already?" He asked taking off his coat and hanging it over a chair.

Isabel smiled an apology and walked over to greet him. "I'm sorry Darling."
She said, kissing him as he relieved her arms of the two precious bundles,
now nearly a month old and full of energy. "Of course I'm happy to see you.
I just thought you were Father that's all."

"Why? Isn't Malcolm home?" He asked, kissing and cooing over the babies at
the same time.

"No, he hasn't been home all day." Isabel confirmed in a worried tone. "

"Well, where did he go?" Francis asked. He was surprised to find that his
father-in-law had left at all. The old man had been spending quite a lot of
time at home during the day. Malcolm did not like the idea of Isabel and the
twins being left alone and so he had tried to keep his activites confined to
the cottage as much as possible. What he did not realize, and Isabel never
let him know was that for all his good intentions, he was becoming a bit
over zealous.

"I sent him to the store to get some eggs for me." Isabel replied. "We are
almost out, and... to tell you the truth... I had to get him out of the
house for a while. He was driving me out of my mind." She said.

"Imagine that." Francie traded glances with his wife as he led her over to
couch, and she took Lucy from him. He and Isabel had discussed the situation
before. He knew that she loved her father a great deal, and was happy that
he had decided to come and live with them in the cottage, but Malcolm Murray was certainly the most over protective grandfather in the whole of North America.

"Yes. Everytime I turned around he was creating some worry over the babies."
She said, the exasperation evident in her voice. She then replayed the
morning's events surrounding her father's comments. "It was
constant...Isabel, you'd better put another blanket over them...Isabel,
what's wrong with Byron, he only needed changing...Isabel, is Lucy
breathing." She exaggerated the last comment to show how ridiculous it was. "That's when I'd had it." She ignored the laughter that Francis was trying to
hide. "But, I held my temper, and asked him very nicely to go to the store
for me. Now he hasn't come home." Her exasperation turned to anxiety. "If
anything's happened to him I'll never forgive myself.

"Honey? Did he, by any chance, come by here to see you?" Isabel looked hopeful.

"No, I haven't seen him either, Dear, " answered Francis. "But....have I
got something to tell *you*." He began certain that Malcolm would turn up fine.

Still worried about the true whereabouts of her father, Francis' last remark
flows in and out of Isabel's ears, "Mmmm." She murmurs to herself. "I wonder if
the Stuarts may have seen him?" She wonders out loud. "Honey, hurray!
Let's drop by the General Store and ask them about Father!" Knowing that his
wife would not be satisfied until she found Malcolm, Francis helped Isabel
bundle up the babies and put her coat on. They were out the door and into
the buggy before he knew it.

As they drive up to the store, and are aliting to the boarded-sidewalk each
holding one of the babies, they're met my Perry's Aunt Thom. She first
stands there staring at Francis, then asks, "Whom are those strange people I saw you talkin' to outside the school? Where was Eve's brother, Gussy Dan takin' 'em?"

"People?" Isabel questioned.

"Uh, yes. That's was I was trying to tell you at home." Francis smiled at
her.

"Yeah, them Injuns." Aunt Thom sputtered.

"What?" Isabel cried shocked. "Oh, you don't suppose...Father."

Francis took Isabel's arm. "No, I don't think anything of the kind. They
were very nice. Friends of Eve's come to visit her." He told Isabel, forgetting
about Aunt Thom's presence.

"And Gussy Dan took them to the Collie Farm?" Isabel questioned.

"Yes, He was the most logical choice." He said.

At that moment Mrs. Stuart strolled through the door in all her supposed
regalness followed by Rhoda on their way to restock some display crates
outside. It was Rhoda who saw their visitors first. "Oh, hello Miss
Murr....I mean Mrs. Carpenter."Rhoda smiled at her old teacher.

Mrs. Stuart stopped the moment she heard Isabel's name. It had been some
months since the former Miss Murray had been to the store due first to the
complication with her pregnancy, and then the demands of caring for two
newborns. Mrs. Stuart was not going to let this opportunity pass. Mrs.
Stuart had not forgotten that her very own husband had tried to court the beautiful
scottish woman. She walked over the Isabel and Francis with a look as if
butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, and surveyed the two infants in their
arms.

"Well." Mrs. Stuart said haughtily. "Nice kids. It's a good thing you two
got hitched when ya did. Sure wouldn't do for nobody to be calling a Murray baby
a ...."

"Mother!" Rhoda yelled horrified.

"I beg your pardon Mrs. Stuart." Isabel spoke up as Francis bristled ready
to defend his wife and children.

"Oh," Mrs. Stuart changed her tone to sticky sweetness. "I just mean that it must be such a joy for you both to have two such fine little babies.... and so soon after you were married." She looked at Francis. "You almost missed it didn't ya."

"Mother, please." Rhoda said mortified.

"Oh, come on Rhoda. It's the truth." Mrs. Stuart laughed. "Think of it, two
Murrays nearly born on the wrong side of the blanket."

"Mrs. Stuart." Isabel spoke up, all her Murray pride burning within her. "We
did not come here to discuss our children's date of birth, or anything else
pertaining to our personal family business." The air with which she carried
herself, and the clarity with which she spoke made Velma Stuart
physically back away. Everywhere Isabel went it was obvious that she was a
true lady, and one that commanded respect. "We simply came to inquire as to
whether or not my father has been here today."

Mrs. Stuart's face had taken the look of someone trying unsuccessfully to
salvage any scrap of dignity possible. "Na, ain't seen him." She decided on
one last jab. "Knowing, Malcolm Murray, I wouldn't be surprised if he spent
the whole day at the pub." Seems like all you Murray's have a weakness in
that area." She scoffed eyed Francis contemptuously.

"Never mind that, what about them Injuns." Aunt Thom interrupted, growing
impatient at the small feud.

"Injuns." Mrs. Stuart cried in the Stove Pipe town accent she always tried
unsuccessfully to hide.

"Them one's that came to visit Eve." Aunt Thom informed her.

"Now you Murray's have brought Injuns down on us." Mrs. Stuart threw up her
hand, remembering the smallpoz epidemic that the entire town had blamed on the Murrays.

"There is absolutely no cause for alarm ...or prejudice." Francis said. "I
really don't think Eve would be friend with anyone dangerous."

"That's right."Isabel agreed. "Anyone Eve would call a friend, must be a
model of virtue."

"Well, I don't want no part of it." Mrs. Stuart said. "Rhoda, you finish
puttin' out them vegetable and get in here where it's safe." She yelled over
her shoulder going through the door.

It was Aunt Thom's turn. "You mark my words." She said to Isabel and
Francis, shaking her pudgy finger in their faces. "Anything happens to my boy Perry
and that nice head a hair of his, and you Murrays'll never see then end of
me." She strode off the sidewalk, and marched down the rode undoubtedly on
her way to find her nephew.

Isabel, Francis, and Rhoda were the only ones left outside the General
Store. It was Rhoda who spoke. "I'm really sorry about what my mother said. She had
no right to... Anyway, what does she know about...well, about anything
that's all." It was obvious that the girl had been through a lifetime of
embarrasment caused by her mother. Isabel looked at the young Miss Stuart
and thought back to the time in Scotland when she was a girl about Rhoda's age.
She remembered the hurtful stares and not so veiled whispers behind her back
about Malcolm's behavior with Megan Moore. She knew better than anyone what
the shortcomings of a parent could do to a child.

"It is not your fault dear, don't ever think that." Isabel smiled at her.

Rhoda tried to smile back, but thought it better to change the subject.
"They really are beautiful babies." She grinned looking at Lucy and Byron who had
taken in the whole scene in the safety of their parent's arms.

"Thank you, we think so." Francis smiled trying to use humor to diffuse the
tension of a few minutes before. The three of them laughed together for a
moment.

"If I see Mr. Murray I'll tell him you were looking for him." Rhoda called
as Francis helped Isabel back into the carriage, both of her arms full.

"Thank you my dear." Isabel smiled.

Isabel had hoped that Malcolm would be waiting for them when they returned
home, but she was disappointed again. Her worries began annew. Francis once
again led her to sofa and took Byron to hold. Francis touched Isabel's hand
to try to calm her. "I'm sure he's fine. He probably just got sidetracked
somewhere and lost track of the time. Maybe he's over at New Moon."

Isabel smiled lovingly at him. He had a certain way of taking her worries
and fears away. "Well, maybe you're right. It has been awhile since he's been
out." She smirked at Francis and they both laughed at their private joke.

"Of course my love." He whispered kissing her temple as he put his arm
around her. "If he's not home by nightfall I'll go look for him." Isabel smiled her
wordless 'thank you' as Francis lifted Byron up over his head. "Now tell me
how these two precious ones have been." He laughed. "I haven't seen our
little angels all day." After a moment, he added. "And afterward I have something to tell you that you will never believe."
____________________________________

As Gussy Dan, Laughing Water, Silver Fox, Star Dancer, and Buffalo Child
turn onto his home's driveway lane; they are greeted by Princess, Laddie, and
their daughter, Lassie, as they come loping down the lane to greet them.
Thinking that they may be attacked by the two adult dogs, the two little
girls start to shrink back in the safety of their parents, until Star Dancer
sees little Lassie. "They won't hurt you girls," said, Gussy Dan,
assuringly." "They're really very loving gentle dogs." As he kneels down
to greet them, relaxing from their fear, as they see the three Collies
affectionately try to kiss Gussy Dan, and Lassie jumping up on the boy, he
calls the girls to him, "Star Dancer and Buffalo Child, this is Lassie.
See how much she wants to be your friend?"

As Laughing Water and Silver Fox also begin petting Lassie's parents, they
both comment, "Them beautiful dogs. What their names, Gussy Dan?"

Pointing to each dog, he replies "The red-sable and white is Laddie, and the
other is Princess. Laddie, is my sister's faithful companion."

Looking at each other smiling, Laughing Water remarks, "They must be new.
Eve not tell us she have dogs."

"That's because they were kenneled at our former home in Avonlea," replied
Gussy Dan. "Also, when Jimmy helped her escape from jail, for when she was
falsely accused of killing our father, she didn't have time to return to our
original home...instead, she had to flee right off the P.E. Island."

"Eve tell us that." said Silver Fox. "That why we accepted her in our
village. She good woman. She good teacher." With that, Laughing Water
nodded with him in agreement.

Gussy Dan listening very intently to their flattering comments about his
sister, almost forgot to pay attention to the girls whom were feeling
comfortable with his sister's three Collies. They were lovingly petting
and hugging the trio....especially little Lassie. Relishing the most
attention she ever got from anybody, Lassie, in turn was in her own way,
returning her supply of unconditional love to them, as she happily wagged
her tail, going from one girl to the other.

Already starting feeling comfortable with Eve's little brother, the Nez
Perce family sensed that they would have another lasting friend in this
young man. As they continued strolling down the lane in the direction of
the house, Laughing Water spotted a familiar sight. Seeing the almost grown
Appaloosa yearling colt, grazing out in the pasture with the other gelding
and the Murray Family cow. "Look , Silver Fox. There is Chief Joseph,
named for my father."

Studying the colt, Silver Fox remarked, "Him grow much since last we see
him. Him more beautiful now."

"*The* Chief Joseph is your father, Laughing Water?", asked Gussy Dan.

"Uh-uh, Chief Joseph is my father." replied Laughing Water.

"Wow!!!" sighed Gussy Dan, awed in complete wonder. "You must tell me about
him too sometime."

Meanwhile, inside the Murray House, in the kitchen; Judith and Malcolm, Eve
and Jimmy are all sitting down at the kitchen table taking a tea
break....when they soon begin hearing voices outside. Turning to look out
the window, Judith suddenly shrieks, "Oh my God!!! My son's is surrounded
by Indians!!!"

With that, the other three jump up and run to the window to see what she's
hysterical about. Laughing at her frightened alarmed mother, Eve remarks,
"Oh Mummie. There's nothing for you to worry about. Why! They're my
former Nez Perce students; Laughing Water and Silver Fox! And look at
those two darling little girls, Mummie. Don't you think that they look
harmless enough?" Before Judith has an opportunity to answer her
daughter...Eve suddenly turns and heads for the kitchen door, flings it
open, she rushes out with her family in pursuit. She warmly greets the
couple with loving hugs, and longing to also hug their two little girls.

"Laughing Water!" Eve cried with wide smile, hugging the native lady. "It's been a long time."

Laughing Water returned Eve's greeting with fervor, happy to see her old teacher, and friend. As she hugged Eve she noticed that there seemed to be more of her than the last time they had parted. Pulling Eve infront of her she held out the slightly older ladies arms and scanned her up and down. Then she realized why Eve's face was beeming. "Eve." Laughing Water began in happy amazement. "You soon be a mother."

"Yes." Eve returned as Jimmy strode up along side of her.

"Oh, Laughing Water. This is my husband Jimmy Murray." Eve reported.

"Oh. I've heard lot about you." The Nez Perce woman smiled. "It good to finally meet you. You make Eve very happy. Even thinking about you brought smile to her face when she was with us."

Jimmy held out his hand to shake Laughing Water's, unsure if it were proper. "I can only hope I make her half as happy as she makes me." He grinned, as Eve caught him around the waist with one arm and hugged him. To his relief Laughing Water gleefully took his hand, familiar with the white-man's tradition of greeting.


"This is my my husband Silver Fox." She pointed to the stoic looking figure standing beside her. He was a full head taller than Jimmy and the look of his face echoed a distrust of people. Eve had told Jimmy about all that her friends had been through, and he understood why Silver Fox kept a quiet but ever watchful eye on the meeting. He none the less extended his hand in a warm and heartfelt welcome, which was accepted. Something in the tall native's face seemed to speak of a longing for friendship that could not be expressed. Jimmy was usually a good judge of character, and he instantly liked Silver Fox, hoping they would have time to get to know each other better. To his amazement, Silver Fox also felt something of a kinship to this white man he had never met before.

"Oh look at how the girls have grown." Eve smiled.

Laughing Water called her daughters away from their amusement with the dogs, and introduced each of them to Eve and Jimmy. She and Silver Fox both beamed with pride. It was then that Eve motioned for Judith and Malcolm to join them. They complied reluctanly.

Eve put her arm around Judith as she approached. "This is my mother Judith Kinch." She smiled.

Laughing Water extended both hands. Meeting the mother of such a person as her friend Eve was a very solemn occasion and she intended to show the woman the respect she deserved. "It is honor to meet you." She said bowing her eyes.

"The honor is mine. I can't thank you enough for watching over my daughter when she was away from us. " Judith said squeezing Laughing Water's hands. Their smiles told each other that they were instant friends.

"Oh and this is Malcolm Murray." Judith said guiding a somewhat reluctant Malcolm over to the group. Malcolm called up all the courage of his Scottish ancestors and squaring off his shoulders shook both Laughing Water's and Silver Foxes hand. "He is Jimmy's uncle."

"And Mr. Caprenter's father-in-law." Gussy Dan spoke up. "Remember from school."

"Oh, yes. He was very nice." Laughing Water smiled.

"Aye, that he is." Malcolm said thinking of how happy Francis had made Isabel.

"Oh, Laughing Water. You just have to meet Isabel, Malcolm's daughter. She just had twins. You'll love them, they're the most precious things. " Eve said, already making plans to introduce the rest of the family to her friends. "Then there's Laura and her husband
Allen. Laura's expecting also." Eve smiled placing her hand on her own expanding middle.
Everyone nearly laughed at her giddiness.

The laughter continued through the small group gathered in the drive of the Collie Farm. No one had noticed the two small figures staring at them from the bushes. "They look harmful enough." Emily said turning to Ilse. "See everyone's seems to be having a great time."

"I don't know Emily." Ilse said still nervous. "I wish we had told Perry or Teddy where we were going. What is something happens."

"Oh, Ilse. Nothing's going to happen. See, Jimmy would never take such a chance with Eve if there was anything to worry about." Emily tried to calm her friend's fears.

"Well, maybe not." Ilse agreed. "But, I still don't think I like it."

"We'll just watch here for a few more minutes." Emily gave in.

"Yeah, then we can get help if something does happen." Ilse's eyes were wide with concern.

"Oh Ilse." Emily sighed exasperated.

It was at that moment that Princess caught a familiar sent on the wind, and bounded over the bushes that provided cover for two young spies to greet her old friends. The exhuberant dog crashed through the prickly branches as if they were even there and began joyfully nudging Emily and Ilse and licking their faces.

"Go away, Princess." Emily begged.

"Yeah you'll give us away." Ilse cried, trying to whisper. Their pleas went unheaded by the happy dog.

Over on the drive, Eve heard the roucous from the hedgerow. "Dear. I think we have some visitors." She smiled at Jimmy. The two looked over in time to see both girls come tumbling down a small embankment that seperated the treeline from the drive, having been thrown off balance by the weight and force of Princess's excitement.

"Come on over here, Girls." Jimmy smiled.

"We're gonna get it now." Ilse exhaled. Looking up at the sky she lamented. " Oh, please don't let him tell my father."

"Don't let him tell Aunt Elizabeth." Emily added.

There was nothing to be done but to obey and the two girls grabbed each other's hands and slowly walked over to where Jimmy, Eve, Judith, Malcolm, and Gussy Dan stood with Laughing Water, Silver Fox, and their two little girls. Eve's bright smile somehow calmed the the girl's fears a bit.

"Emily and Ilse." She began. "These are my good friends Laughing Water, Silver Fox, Star Dancer, and Buffalo Child." Turning to the Native American family she announced. "These are our young cousins Emily and Ilse."

Laughing Water happily extened her hand to the girls. Emily's face danced as she met a exotic new friend. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She said, already planning a hundered stories centered around a lovely native american lady and her family.

"And you too." Laughing Water smiled shaking Ilse's timid hand as well.

"Yeah, it's nice to meet you." Ilse agreed, staring uneasily at Silver Fox. He was the tallest most ominous person she had ever seen, and she was afraid he could read her fear.

Laughing Water also sensed Ilse's uneasiness and knew that it came from unfamiliarity and not prejudice. She bent down and whispered in Ilse's ear. "Don't let my husband scare you. He likes to pretend he's as tough as a buffalo's hide. Put a spider in front of him, and see what he does." Ilse and Laughing Water dissolved into laughter, Silver Fox standing bewildered beside them, wondering what sort of personal embarrasment his wife had chosen to confide in the girl. However, he had to admit that it was nice to see the golden haired girl smiling instead of trembling with fear. He had not meant to frighten her.

"Come on everyone. Let's go inside and have some tea." Eve offered. " I want to hear all about your journey." She took Laughing Water by the arm as Emily and Ilse were each offered a friendly smiling hand by Star Dancer and Buffalo child. Together, the ladies walked into the house in the late afternoon.

At that Silver Fox began to survey the area. It was clear to Jimmy, Malcolm, and Gussy
Dan that he was looking for something. They followed him at a distance as he peared around the barn, and searched for some unspoken and elusive quarry. After some time they came upon a stand of tall trees that were amazingly strong despite their thin trunks. They Murray men watched uncertain as Silver Fox took the ax his belongings, and with a knod at Jimmy for permission began to fell the stand of magestic trees. He whispered something to the sky as he worked, almost as if praying or giving thanks. Almost in no time three long straight poles had been worked from the wood, and Silver Fox was working to stack them together. It would take most of the remainder of the day, but by the time the darkness of night appeared on the horizon, a proud sturdy teepee, the kind which graces the planes so far away, stood regally upon the red soil of Prince Edward Island. It was covered with a skin decorated with the pictures of a journey. Jimmy wondered at the meaning of some of the more violent paintings. He wondered just what his wife's friends had been through on their journey, and hoped they had found peace. From somewhere he found the courage to extend the hand of friendship to Silver Fox, who studied it for a moment with an eye of caution. Finally Silver Fox accepted the gesture and grasped Jimmy's hand firmly. The two men stared at each other, neither understanding the other's language, but both understanding the promise of a new friendship and the safety of a new home.

___________________________________
"I just don't understand where he could be." Isabel said wringing her hands. She had prepared his favorite dinner and it sat cold on the table.

"Well, I'll go look for him. Like I promised." Francis said kissing Isabel's forehead. He was worried about Malcolm too, but he was also a bit angry that the old man had upset Isabel so.

Isabel looked at him gratefully. "Thank you." She began helping him on with his coat when the door opened reveiling a rather tired Malcolm on the other side.

"Father! Malcolm!" Isabel and Francis both exclaimed respectively.

"Where on earth have you been?" Isabel questioned. "I sent you to the store for eggs, hours ago" she said, worried and concerned. "Then I wait around here all day for you to return - still no sign of you!! You haven't been to some pub drinking or something, have you? You scared me half to death."

"Why, certainly not!" answered Malcolm. "I'm sorry that I worried you like that, but the time just got away from me." Malcolm said giving his daughter a welcoming kiss on the cheek and striding over to where the twin lay in their bassinettes by the fire. He grinned down at them his heart melting everytime he saw them. "Hello there my little cherubs, did your old grandpa?" He bent down to give each baby a cooing kiss. Isabel did not hear him whisper to them. "I thought it was best for me to get out of your mother's hair for a wee bit. I think I was driving her crazy, and what a dear she never said a word." Malcolm smiled knowintly at the infants and believing with all certainty that they understood him. He then turned and made his way to where his dinner was waiting for him. Isabel picked up the twins and followed her father to the table. She sat down beside him, her arms filled with her two tiny squirming bundles.

"Do you want me to warm that up for you?" Isabel offered, but Malcolm gestured that it was just fine, as he spread a thick coat of butter over a thicker piece of bread. He chuckled when he remembered how Isabel used to chastize him for his wastefulness, and how he had noticed that she herself was now enjoying an extra helping from time to time.

"Father." Isabel said still confused. "You haven't answered my question. Where have you been?"

"Well, I haven't been anywhere near a pub. I've been over visitin' Judith, Eve 'n' Jimmy all this time. You two will never guess what's ocurred there today."

"I know, Malcolm," said Francis, with a wide grin forming on his face. "They
came to the school looking for Eve."

"They who?," asked a very perplexed Isabel.

"Eve's and Jimmy's newly adopted Nez Perce family," answered Malcolm and
Francis together.

"The Indians you told me about?" Isabel asked her husband, her eyes wide with concern. "The ones from school today?"

"Yes, them." The men answered together.

"They're still there?" Isabel questioned again. "Do you think it's safe? Maybe we should get someone, Joe or the constable or someone."

"Calm yourself daughter." Malcolm said smiling. "There is absolutely nothing to worry about. Eve and JImmy couldn't be among more trustworthy people. Infact, I'd go so far as to say, I'd trust with Lucy and Byron anyday."

"Really?" Isabel was taken aback for a moment with shock at the thought of her children being cared for by strangers at all, let alone Malcolm suggesting them being cared for by a family of Indians. She decided not to take up the issue, but was eager to hear more about the visitors. "Well, if you say so." She said.

"Certainly." Malcolm grinned. "Now, just wait until you hear what I've been up to today." He said as he continued to shovel his food in like a ravenous adolescent. Isabel's shock had still not completely worn off, and Francis sat rivetted as the old man described for them the details of shaking hands with Silver Fox, watching the teepee raising ceremony, and becoming friends with the strangers from away.

_____________________

Meanwhile, back on the Collie Farm a few hours after Emily and Ilse had each reluctantly returned to their new homes to report the news to the adults.--

As Laughing Water, Silver Fox, Star Dancer, and an already exhausted little
Buffalo Child prepare to settle down for the night in their already erected
tipi lodge, on the beautiful site Jimmy picked out for them, behind his and
Eve's home, in a clearing protected from Mother Natures' strong winds, by
trees. Buffalo Child, all snug and warm under her buffalo robe, is sound
asleep.

Back in the big house, Gussy Dan finally is able to corner his sister and
brother-in-law, Eve and Jimmy, as they are about to ascend the stairs to
their room. Taking both of their arms, he asks them, "Did you two happen
to notice the strong attachment between Lassie, and Star Dancer and Buffalo
Child?"

"What are you saying, Gussy Dan," asks Eve with curiosity, about her
brother's observation. With Jimmy listening inerestedly.

"I'm sayin - no, I'm suggesting that, can you two think of a better home for
Lassie, than for her to be with those two little Indian girls?"

Eve and Jimmy look at each other, then back to Gussy Dan. "As a matter of
fact, I did notice how Lassie took to the little girls," said Eve. "As we
were watching the five of you, from the kitchen-window, Gussy Dan. weren't
we, Honey?"

"Yes--yes, of course, we were," answered Jimmy. "That was when Mother got
hysterical, as she saw you with our Indian friends coming down our lane.
Well, what do you say, my darling Queen of Romania, should we make this kind
gesture to those sweet deserving little girls, by giving them Lassie?" As
he lovingly put his arms around his wife, hugging her close to him.

"Yes, we should....all three of us should do so tonight," said Eve.

"Now that that's settled. Please allow me, to go out to the barn to fitch
Lassie," said Jimmy, as he went for the door, grabbing his coat, as he
went. "You two, meet us outdoors. Alright?"

"Okay," said Eve and Gussy Dan, together, as they looked at each other
grinning happily.

As the Kinch siblings were putting on their coats, to go outside to meet
their husband and brother, Jimmy, in the barn with Lassie, and her
parents...

As he lovingly scooped-up Lassie, in his arms, he said to her, "Tonight, you
are going to make a pair of certain little girls not only happy, but made to
feel very very welcomed into their new home. We know that you love them,
just as much as they grown to love you, my little buddy." As he lovingly
scratched Lassie behind her ears. Then to her parents, he said, "Don't
worry, Princess and Laddie, your little one won't be too far away from you
two. You'll both be able to see her any time. Please forgive me for
taking her tonight."

As they watched him and their daughter exit the barn door, they both stood
up and followed Jimmy and Lassie, over to where Eve and Gussy Dan were
waiting for them. As Eve took her brother's arm, they all began strolling
out and around their drive-way to the rear of their home, in to the clearing
where they could see the light of the fire burning, inside the tipi.
Nearing it, Eve rapped on the the lodgepole to the right of the small door.
Hearing a rustling, they were greeted by Silver Fox, "What wrong?"

"Nothing," said Eve, smiling. "Nothing at all."

"We have something that we would love to give your two little ones," added
Jimmy.

"Give my girls," asked Silver Fox. Laughing Water, stuck her face out the
small door to see who her husband is talking to, then seeing Eve, Gussy Dan,
and Jimmy with the pup. Then Silver Fox, she looked at him as if to say,

"Mind your manners, will you. Let them in." Then to their visitor, she
said, "Please come in."

As the five of them ducked down, in order to enter the tipi door, Gussy Dan
was totally awed by the largement of of this conical home, but restrained
himself from making such an observation - which he would later do, on his,
and his sister and brother's-in-law, walk home.

Seeing Buffalo Child fast asleep in her bed, and Star Dancer about to drift
off herself, only to sit up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, at their visitors,
Jimmy said, "We won't stay long, seein' that you all must be exhausted from
your long trek to coming here to finding my wife," as he nodded towards Eve.
"There are some folks whom need more love than others. That's why it would
please us to no end, if you all would take Lassie off our hands. We know,
that she loves your girls, as much as they've grown to love her."

Star Dancer, by this time, is sitting up in an anticipated kneeling
position, as Jimmy sets Lassie down on the floor of the tipi. As the
adults and one boy watch, with tears in their eyes, Lassie, wagging her
tail, trots over to her. Looking from the little pup, then to her parents,
she looks to their visitors, with look of total disbelief on her sweet
little face, as if to say, "Is she our's....really our's!?"

As if reading her little mind, Eve says (choking back her happy tears),
"Lassie's really really yours now, darling." Seeing how happy they've
made this little Indian girl and her family, after knowing nothing but
grief, all their lives, seems to her and her family thanks enough. As they
turn to leave, Silver Fox, takes Jimmy's hand, saying,

"You made my heart glad again. You made my children happy again. You
(gesturing to them all with his hand), me, friends for as long as the the
grass grows."

Jimmy too, promising, "Yes, for as long as the grass grows, we'll be
friends."
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