Chapter 7 #3
“Yes, modesty,” she repeated. “Now, do not pretend ignorance of what I speak, if you please. You are a man, I am a woman. We are alone. I must ensure there is nothing scandalous about my attire or about my demeanor. But I would do so in private.”
“Aa, now I understand. ’Tis foolish of me not to have realized this before.
” He turned his head away from her, and rotating so his back was turned toward her, he folded his arms over his chest. As soon as he had done so, he continued speaking.
“It is good that you bring this to my attention, for I have seen nothing dishonorable about you this entire morning.”
“Thank you.”
“Once, long ago, you wore less clothing than this.”
“Yes, I did,” she agreed. Then sarcastically, she added, “And how kind of you to make mention of it.”
She watched as he bowed his head and shook it back and forth. If she hadn’t known better, she might have thought he laughed at her. From what she could see of it, his chest certainly quaked.
He said, “’Tis good to behold that there is nothing wrong with your tongue.”
“No, there’s not, and there’s nothing wrong with my voice either should I choose to scream.”
“What you say is true.” He nodded absentmindedly as though her words were profound. “If you want me to go so you have more seclusion, I will leave. But I would be unthinking and unkind if I did not tell you that I think you would be unwise to make me go.”
“Unwise? Why?”
“Because as long as a man is in front of you, you can know where his eyes tend. But send him from you, and he may hide and watch you while you are unaware.”
She snorted. “Then that man is not honorable.”
He shrugged. “Men are men.”
Yes, they are, she thought. Then, aloud, “I believe you use this as an excuse to remain here, Mr. Hawk.”
“Perhaps I do…aa, it could be true. Surely, I have thought of you often in these many years. And though I know I should go and let you have the privacy you seek, I must admit I do not want to leave you. At least not yet.”
As she stared at the back of his head, Effie felt a glimmering spark of kinship with the man. Couldn’t the same be said of her?
After all, what could it harm if they spent a few more moments in one another’s company?
Especially since it did appear they were alone.
Glancing around once again, she found herself saying, “Very well. I suppose you’re right.
We have much to discuss, and perhaps now would be a good time to settle a few matters between us.
The only condition I demand is that you remain seated with your back to me until I am ready to receive you properly. ”
“Soka’pii. This I will do,” he said, and she relaxed. He broke the spell by adding, “I wonder if it is a good time to tell you that I have been here for some time, and I have already seen you in your beautiful red dress.”
Immediately embarrassed, she uttered, “But how? I looked carefully around before entering the water, and I saw nothing.”
“Then you need to be taught how to look.”
“I see just fine.”
“And yet I have been here all this time, and I was not hiding.”
She raised her eyes in disbelief.
“Do not despair,” he went on to say. “’Tis a trait I have found common amongst the white man. He does not often live in peace with his environment, and so many times he does not see that which is right in front of him.”
“And Indians miss nothing, I suppose?”
“Upon a rare occasion, they might. But it is taught to the young Indian lad and maiden that if a man does not know his environment well and does not observe the obvious, the error could cost him his life. Wise ones are never at their ease. They are always alert, except perhaps when they are within the safety of their village.”
“Maybe so,” she retaliated, “but you are lecturing me, and I do not like to argue so much. Besides, we leave the point. You may have spied me in this dress before I entered the water, but it is not the same when the clothing is wet. Water emphasizes…curves.”
“I understand.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hawk. I am glad that you do. However, the arrangements for our talk will remain, as I have already stated, at least for the time being.”
“As you say.”
Slowly, she rose out of the water and waded to shore. As she had intended all along, she glanced down at her skirts, then breathed in a sigh of relief. It was good. The bathing suit covered not only her, but the artifacts as well.
Very well. One problem solved.
She sat next to Mr. Hawk, who reclined in the grass. “Would you please hand me my towel? It is on the ground beside you.” She gestured to where she had left her cloak even though she knew he couldn’t see the motion.
He reached for the cloak, but his hand stopped midair. “Aa, that I will do—for a price.” He glanced at her over his shoulder and smirked.
“A price? And keep your head turned away from me, Mr. Hawk.”
“As you say.” He looked forward once again.
“And no peeking,” she commanded. “What is it that I must pay, Mr. Hawk? And do hurry to tell me, for I am cold.”
“It is simple. I would like you to tell me what it is you hide.”