111 "Your few minutes," remarked Mountain Glory,
"can turn into hours! The food is ready NOW! Come in NOW! Whatever
you're doing can wait awhile." She turned around and walked off.
112 "Was that a request," inquired Gray Boar, "or a command?" after she
had gone.
113 "I'm not sure," answered Swift Dog. "But if I were you, I wouldn't
worry about it and get in the house!"
114 Gray Boar nodded. Keep working on the experiment," he ordered.
"I'll be back later." He followed Mountain Glory in the house.
115 She served him as usual, then sat down, served herself, and began
to eat. Neither said anything for several minutes.
116 Then Gray Boar spoke up. "Your new clothes look really nice!" he
complimented. "They're a pleasant change from your uniform. But may I
ask why?"
117 "To make my presence more noticed," answered Mountain Glory.
118 Gray Boar put down his fork and knife. "Your presence," he assured,
"is ALWAYS noticed. Perhaps I do not say it, but you are a great part
of my life; you have been, for some time. I have wanted to speak to you
about it, but I did not want to encourage any unreasonable desires."
119 Now, Mountain Glory put down HER fork and knife. "Unreasonable
desires?" she snapped. "Dammit, you know I've been in love with you for
years. Why do you make me say it?"
120 "Because I have another love," answered Gray Boar, "a love that
eats at my mind and often takes my whole attention. And it wouldn't be
fair for me to keep a woman under those circumstances. A woman deserves
a man's body, mind, and Eternal Spirit. There must be nothing else
between them, or, their love cannot last. And besides, I am not a whole
man, and that, also, is