35 He spent a quiet evening with his mates, and
they gathered the children, explained to them that when North returned,
Spearina would be returning with him, and that from now on she would be
more than a visitor or a friend, she would be to them as much
of a
mother as Valley Blossom or Sweet Cloud, and was to be obeyed just as
they were obeyed.
36 "Won't she play with me anymore?" questioned the oldest daughter.
37 "Does your mother not play with you?" asked North.
38 "All the time," the child answered, "when it is not her turn to do
the cleaning or the cooking."
39 "Then it will be the same for Spearina," continued North.
40 "Will we have another brother or sister?" asked the oldest boy.
41 "I don't know," North explained, "for that we will have to wait and
see. But it is something that would not surprise me, and remember what
I have taught you."
42 "Yes, father!" the boy said, "no matter how many children you have,
you love each one of us just as much, no one no less or more than the
other. We are all your joy."
43 "Good!" praised North. "Now, everybody give me a hug. It's time to
go. I want all of you to show everyone at the ceremony what good
young men and young ladies you are. Tell me the rules in a Holy Place."
44 "No running," the children began, "no shouting, obeying the adults
assigned to us, and no talking or whispering during the ceremonies."
45 "Very good!" North agreed. "Now your mothers will be busy the two
Peepian ladies that take care of you when they're not home will escort
you. They are your authority."
46 The children nodded. "Damn!" North muttered,