60 "Because that would shame him and that I will
not do."
61 "Tell me," insisted Red Cat, "do you love this man?"
62 The woman looked sad. "What is love?" she answered. "A girl's
foolish dreams of a valiant fighting man that sweeps her away and takes
her to a rich estate where she lives a life of leisure? Do I not have better
things?"
63 "You did not answer my question," insisted Red Cat.
64 For the first time the younger woman spoke. "Lord," she said, "I
love him. If a younger, handsome man came along, and offered me
everything that he has given me, I would not leave him. No man could
take me from his house!"
65 Red Cat looked at the older woman. "Could any man take you from his
house?" he asked.
66 "Never, Lord," the woman announced. She straightened up and smiled.
"Before you make your decision, there is some evidence I'd like to show
you. May I have your permission?"
67 "Of course," agreed red Cat. The woman clapped her hands three
times, and from somewhere four children came running, noisily laughing,
giggling. Two of them ran to the younger woman; a boy and a girl. A
girl ran to the older woman, but the oldest one, a boy, ran to the man
crying, "Father! Father!" and leapt into his arms. "Can we go now,
Father?" the boy questioned. "I'm bored. You said we'd go riding today!"
68 "Later, son!" the man answered, "as soon as we are done here."
69 The woman looked at Red Cat. "Of all the riches in our house," she
answered, "this is our greatest treasure ....our children! Look on
these,