CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"'Tis a welcome sight thou be, me own daughter!" cried Liliann's father, Henrik, a few days later. "Me own self has brought to thee some others who be anxious to see thee again."
"Others?" Liliann asked. But, no sooner had she formed the question than Briella, Czanna's young sister, burst into the tepee, springing over the flap at the bottom of the entrance.
Liliann laughed; it was, perhaps, the most joyous sound to be heard upon her lips in these past few days. Having been Briella's nanny and tutor for a good many years, she and the girl were a closely knit pair. And, Liliann felt Briella's joy as though it were her own.
"'Tis a welcome sight thou are, Miss Briella," said Liliann, and she meant it. "Glad I am that thou have come here today, especially since First Rider and I are still in camp."
"Oh?" asked Henrik. "There bein' no way to get a message to thee, me own self be glad thou are still in camp, too."
"Aye," agreed Liliann.
Then, over the threshold tramped the rest of Czanna's family, those who, only a few years ago, had made up one of Hungary's aristocratic families. József Fehér and his wife, Mária, were, of course, the head of the family. They smiled their greetings at Liliann, while their arms were so full of gifts, they almost stumbled over the raised bottom flap of the entrance. The two heads of the family were then followed by Czanna's older brother, Frederic, as well as her younger brother, George.
Czanna and Stands Strong, along with their four-year-old daughter, were last to enter.
"Oh my!" said Liliann. "I am greatly surprised, but honored. Welcome! Welcome! Please, be seated." She indicated where they should all sit with her right arm as she said, "Men sit over there"—she pointed—"and women, please seat yourselves over here with me. Or, sit wherever ye would like." She smiled. "Why, Miss Briella, thou hast grown since last I saw thee."
"I am almost eight years old now," said Briella, smiling. "And, George, along with his best friend, Red Fox, are now my teachers, taking your place, although Red Fox only teaches me about riding and shooting. But, how I miss you, Miss Liliann."
"And, I be missing thee, too," replied Liliann. "I'm not certain if all of you have yet met my husband, First Rider, and I am sorry he be not here right now."
"Out hunting, is he?" asked George.
"Indeed, he is," answered Liliann. Liliann had barely spoken the words when First Rider thrust open the entryway and, stooping over, stepped into the lodge.
Taking his seat at the place directly across from the entrance, he said, "When I…came back to camp, heard my name. Saw many people come to lodge. Decide hunting can wait till sun's next path over the blue."
Gesturing toward her husband, Liliann said, "This be my husband, First Rider."
"But, we need no introductions to your husband," said Mária. "After all, we too, spent much time in this camp before rooms were prepared for us at Fort Benton. How excited we all are to learn of your marriage to each other, and we come bearing gifts."
Scooting around the circle, Liliann accepted the gifts, and, with a few steps toward the back of the tepee, she set them down. "I am hopin' ye do not mind if we open the gifts later. First,though, let me be offerin' you some food, knowin' ye have all come a long way."
The words were barely spoken when her mother-in-law, Little Dove, as well as her almost-mother, Morning Sun Woman, and three of the family's older daughters, stepped into the lodge, bringing with them the delicacy of boiled meat, fat buffalo ribs and soup. And, while the women prepared the ribs, Liliann and Czanna served the boiled meat and soup to each of the guests in turn.
"Mmmm," "This is good!" "I have missed the boiled meat and buffalo ribs!" came the many compliments from the Féher family. Indeed, the food must have been delicious, since barely a word was spoken while it was consumed.
However, in between taking bites of the tasty buffalo ribs, Henrik managed to say, "Me own son-in-law, I have brought thee a present of fifteen horses, including a fast buffalo runner. This me own self has done, this in appreciation for what thou did for meself and the daughter of me. I gave them to one of your cousins, askin' him to be addin' them to thy herd. Later, we can ride out to where your ponies graze, and I will be showin' them to thee."
First Rider nodded. "I would be honored to do this," he said.
But, outside of this brief conversation, no one spoke. The food was too delightful.
At last, however, the food was consumed, and the women quickly took care of the clean-up. Indeed, both of Liliann's mothers-in-law and their girls gathered up the dishes and departed.
Meanwhile, the men had taken to discussing the weather, the changing habits of the buffalo and how the coming of the gold-seekers had changed—perhaps forever—the tribe's hunting grounds.
"Your house? It built? You live there…now?" asked First Rider of József Fehér.
"I fear not," answered the elder Fehér.
First Rider nodded. "It to be finished soon?"
"It's because of all those grubstakers!" cried Briella.
"Sh-h-h," scolded Mária Fehér. "Let the men speak uninterrupted."
