OCR Text |
Show /IA* 49 So this was his So 'o, thought Chua. "That's because I used to argue like you when I was a child." She ruffled her skirt and set down her basket, which was full of pinecones. She looked at her grandson and asked, "Now how do you know he is from a large clan that is going to steal all our secret water unless you ask?^ j IJAA/^ "I don't know," Toho said. "I just guessed.'^ She led the boys to the shade of a misshapen pine tree and sat down. "Now suppose you tell us, Chua Poko, if you are from a large water-stealing clan." Chua smiled. He didn't mean to, but he liked this old woman. Clawing Eagle seemed to be asleep. Chua shook himself, and woke up Clawing Eagle. I can't be telling anyone about our life, thought Chua. He would tell as little as he could and still be polite. "My mother and I are on our own," Chua said. He was ashamed to tell about Ahote. "You can't survive on your own," the old woman said. "There must be someone else." Chua looked down and dug his foot into the sand. "I have an uncle that is with us some of the time." "Some of the time? What does that mean?" Chua shrugged. He didn't answer. She did not press him. "Do you have enough food?" "We have enough for now," Chua said. He didn't want to say that they could be starving before the winter was over. 'Til hunt as the winter goes on." "You're a good son," the old woman said. "Toho, tell Chua about yourself." |