What if they took an instant dislike to her? After all, she had become aware of the contempt most of the Blackfoot people held for the whites, brought about by the antics of Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Looking around as though for a mirror, Amelia's gaze came back to the elk-skin dress she was making. Many different shades of blue covered the dress…and her.
She looked a mess. She knew she looked a mess. Not only was she covered in blue paint, she was wearing a dirty dress, muddy boots and hadn't combed her hair since morning. And, now she would have to meet and serve food to Gray Falcon's family tonight? With little more than a quick bath and no time to change her clothing or run a comb through her hair? No, she couldn't possibly do it without changing into different clothes first.
She signed, "If I am to do this, I will need to clean up."
"Áa,we both will. But, we will do it quickly. Come. Let us hurry."
And so, they walked as fast as they dared toward the part of the river designated for the women. Along the way, Amelia asked in sign, "Might we spare a moment to stop at my lodge so I can change my dress and my shoes after we bathe?"
"Áa,but we must hurry. We have much to do in preparation of the family meal."
In relief, Amelia sighed. Good. There would be time to change clothing and comb her hair.
Their bath consisted mostly of swimming and a little washing, utilizing the roots Sweet Woman had brought with her to wash off the paint. But, short though the bath was, it felt like a treat on this extremely warm day, and, in little time, they had completed their bath and had returned to Amelia's lodge, where Amelia proceeded to pull on one of her gowns—a pink silk dress. As the gown fell to the floor and she straightened out its wrinkles, she substituted her boots for a different and clean pair of shoes and then ran a ribbon through her hair.
Sweet Woman watched her with seeming interest, then said in sign, "I see now why my brother favors you."
"What do you mean, 'favors me'?"
"I mean he likes you."
"Well, we are friends, after all," signed Amelia. "I think I told you how we came to know each other all those years ago."
"No, I do not mean as friends; I think he likes you more than this, but he does not know how to show it. Have you not seen him watching us?"
"No, I haven't."
"He always stands at a distance, but he has watched us many times after returning from hunting. He would not do this if he did not like you." She smiled, then signed, "I have suddenly decided that it should be you who serves him his meal tonight. You should especially do so while wearing this dress."
"Why this dress? It is simple, after all."
"Áa,but it shows off your figure, especially your upper chest."
"Oh dear. Do I look unpresentable, then?"
"Saa, the opposite is true. The dress is not so low-cut as to be in bad taste, but it makes you look so pretty and emphasizes your womanly gifts."
Amelia glanced up, sending a startled look at Sweet Woman. "'Gifts?'"
"Áa. I think I might like to see my brother's response to seeing you look so beautiful."
"I don't know about this. I am uncertain I should come with you to do this. I feel I am unprepared to meet your family. Indeed, I think I might be too self-conscious. Perhaps I should wait until I make the elk-skin dress so that my 'gifts' are not busting out."
Sweet Woman chuckled, and Amelia found herself laughing, also.
"You look so beautiful. My brother will like seeing you like this, I think."
"I am still unsure about this, though. I am not concerned I might make a fool of myself in front of your brother, because I do this most times I am with him. It is this other: your family will be there."
"Where is your courage, my sister? All the family will be stunned at your beauty. And, perhaps my brother might stop being so shy."
"Shy? Your brother?"
"Áa,I can tell my brother likes you, but he will not approach you, and he should. Be brave, my sister. Many times a woman must do what she must so that she might cause a man to notice her."
"Are you daring me to do this, then?" signed Amelia.
"Áa,I am."
"Oh, at last I understand you. Then, by all means, I will accept your challenge. Lead me to your family."
They laughed.
