with my wives!"
97 A little while later North arrived at the park in the central core
of the space station. It was in reality, a fruit orchard, part of the
station's farming complex, but The Peepians made double use of
everything! Spearina was playing with the children, saw North approach,
but stayed with them, preferring to let North's wives intercept him.
"Alright, you two! What mischief have you been hatching?"
98 "None, really," explained Valley Blossom, "we merely want you to
know that apparently Spearina has learned a great deal about our
customs. She has come seeking us our approval. She wants us to help her
study so she can take The Bread And The Wine. Her people have ruled
that anyone accepting The Hashon Faith may abide by their marriage
customs and legally take a second, a third wife, or a man who already
has wives."
99 "You also know the custom," North objected, "that a third wife is
usually a widow, not an impressionable child, hardly ready for
marriage."
100 "There is here," countered Valley Blossom, "more than a child.
According to her peoples' customs she was old enough to marry a year
ago. She has refused all comers."
101 "Our mate," put in Sweet cloud, "we are inclined to be in favor of
this union!"
102 North looked at both of his women with disbelieving eyes. "Why?" he
asked.
103 "We cannot fight the inevitable," explained Valley Blossom. "To try
to postpone Destiny is to try to stop the wind with a fan. She WILL be
your mate, no matter how we fight it, no matter what we do. Fate will
twist it around so it happens. None of us have the power to stop it!
Look at her! The children know. They call her their Peepian mother
already. They have never looked upon her as a child. What is it The
Lords say? 'The wisdom of children goes before that of their parents.'"