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9
The driver caught up with them just after lunch and announced that Isabella’s parents had returned to the house to rest. Isabella wanted to join them, but the driver said they wanted her to stay. Besides, he couldn’t return to the house because he had to attend to further business for Mr. Greer.
Isabella said nothing, but she wasn’t happy with the prospect of continuing the chilly day at Aaron’s side. Lupe, however, was having the best of times and found it a delight to talk with Aaron about everything under the sun.
“So there are Navajo and Zuni Indians here. Are there others?” the maid asked.
“There are. Sometimes the Hopi come too. Any of the tribes who have things to sell come here to the Plaza in Santa Fe. They also go to the various train stations and sell to passengers, as well as trading posts that have been established with special places for them to set up shop. It’s a good way for them to make money, and people from elsewhere are fascinated to meet real-life Indians. They’ve only heard stories about them back East, and they get very excited to see the Indians in their native costumes.”
“I can hardly wait to see the things they’re selling,” Lupe replied.
Isabella had to admit she was just as excited. Aaron made a good salesman. She supposed there could be a worse way to spend her day.
Multiple displays of handcrafted wares, including jewelry, baskets, and blankets, to name just a few, were arranged atop pieces of canvas on the ground. Down a long row, the owners sat beside their work. They welcomed each visitor, holding up items for them to see and telling them various prices.
“Which are the necklaces Mrs. Greer was speaking of?” Isabella couldn’t remember what Aaron had called them.
“These.” He pointed to one vendor’s wares. “They’re called squash blossom necklaces.”
The Navajo woman held up one of the necklaces and spoke in broken English. “You buy for wife?”
Aaron smiled, but Isabella shook her head. Aaron took the necklace and let Isabella see it up close. The turquoise stones were polished but not shaped. The greenish-blue color very much appealed to Isabella.
“The Navajo work to fit the silver around the stones rather than reshape or cut the stones. The Zuni, on the other hand, do cut and reshape the stones. They are known for their inlay work, where they create amazing pieces with many colors of stones. I’m a fan of both.”
Isabella studied the necklace, admiring the beauty of the natural turquoise. “It’s lovely,” she told the woman.
“See these stones with the silver flourish coming out?” He pointed to the stones on either side of the lower part of the necklace. “They are supposed to look like little flowers blossoming. At the bottom is thenaja. That’s the Navajo word for crescent. It looks rather like a horseshoe, and most believe that’s what it is. However, it comes from the SpanishMoors, who believed it was a talisman for protection. Some think that when the Spanish came here, the Navajos saw the shape and adapted it for their necklace. Even the flowers are thought to come from Spanish pomegranates.”
“It’s a beautiful piece.”
He handed the necklace back to the woman, and she quickly picked up another and offered it up.
“The silverwork is so lovely,” Isabella said, admiring the second necklace. “And look, there’s a stone in the center of the naja.”
“Some believe that the naja can represent the womb and the extra stone is an unborn child.”
Isabella looked at Aaron, surprised by his knowledge.
He shrugged. “I find Indian art quite fascinating. Even their woven rugs and baskets tell stories. I’ve learned to ask questions over the years.”
“Well, they’re all quite beautiful.”
“Would you like to have one? Your father gave me money to buy you whatever you want. Food, souvenirs, and most anything else you fancied.”
She considered the two pieces she’d been shown and nodded, pointing to the first one. “I’d like that one.”
Aaron pulled his wallet from his suit coat and paid the Navajo woman what she asked. She started to wrap it in a piece of cloth, but Isabella stopped her.
“I’d like to wear it.”
The woman beamed her a smile and nodded. Aaron took the necklace and secured it around Isabella’s neck.
“Oh, Miss Isabella, it’s beautiful. It looks so perfect with the peach color,” Lupe declared.
Isabella felt the stones and silver and smiled. “It’s heavy, but I like the weight of it.”
They moved on and looked at some of the baskets andrugs made by the Zuni. Isabella picked one of the blankets that had been done in bands of black, red, and yellow against a dark cream-colored base.
