As she entered the dining room, she greeted them all with a firm "Howdy!"
The room immediately went silent. All eyes became trained on her.
"Oh dear, I hope I didn't disturb you," she said, barely able to contain a giggle or two.
"Why, you look stunning!" Briella's mother said as she rose up to her feet to step toward her daughter, who still stood at the entrance to the dining room. "Come, sit with us."
Briella's father, as well as Frederic and Maximillian, all rose up to their feet as Mária Fehér showed Briella to her place while saying, "I am so glad you have joined us here this morning. Why, you look as though you are going hunting, and very soon, I take it?"
Upon seeing Maximillian go a little green in the face, Briella couldn't help grinning before saying, "Of course I am going hunting. What else would I do on a beautiful day like this?"
"Then, George is joining you?"
"He might," Briella answered.
"Well, whether he is or not, please come sit down and have some breakfast. Sit in your usual place while Cook puts together some good juicy buffalo ribs for you. Oh my, how glad I am to see you are feeling better."
"Thank you, Mother. I believe I am better." As Briella came to her seat around the table, she asked, "Who at this table will join me today on the hunt?"
"I will," answered Frederic.
"I, too, will come with you," said Maximillian, though his words were soft and weakly spoken.
"As will I," quipped Sheila. "I have never been hunting, and I think it would be a good adventure for today."
"So it will be, I am sure. Will you be joining us today, Father?"
"Of course I will, Briella. I am happy you have asked me to be a part of your hunting party."
Briella smiled, although she knew her father might come to regret being a part of this venture today. She intended to take all of these people on a real Western hunt, which was not a cowardly venture.
She said, "Soká'pii! Good. It will be fun, I am sure."
