138 "Why don't you go in the office over there,
and change?" Gray Boar went on. "This is my home village where I was born, and I'd like to show you off."
139 Mountain Glory smiled, took her bag and changed her clothes. When
she came back out, she found about a dozen girls from about nine to
twelve seasons old, waiting for her. "See? I told you she was a woman!"
one of them remarked. "And, she's BEAUTIFUL! "
140 The others giggled. A car pulled up. Gray Boar helped her in. "It's
so beautiful!" she remarked. "I've never seen such a beautiful village!"
141 "I gave every family," Gray Boar announced, "a no-interest loan to
build new houses. The two wind generators provide electricity, and
there's a back-up generator for when the wind fails. I built the school
myself, and, the library, and, the new dock down by the river, though
they insist on giving me a ten per cent share of profits until it's
paid for! They're a good people!"
142 "You never told me any of this!" Mountain Glory sighed, looking at
him.
143 "I don't brag about my good deeds," continued Gray Boar, "there's
a lot you don't know."
144 They wound through the village and came to a nice little house that
looked down on it from a hillside. There was an old woman
lying in a chair in the front yard taking the sun. The car stopped.
Gray Boar got out, went to the woman and hugged her. Then he waved to
Mountain Glory and she came down.
145 "Mother!" announced Gray Boar. "This is Mountain Glory. She wants
to be my mate. Can I leave her here for a while? Maybe you can talk
some sense into her."
146 "By The Lords!" laughed Little Blue Blossom, "What a beautiful
woman! My son, you are honored! My beloved Toad," she cried, "will you
bring a chair for