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Show 82 <r- "She loves you," Sihu said. "She wouldn't eat while she was away from you." "Mother," Toho said, "we'll help you home, and then may I take Chua down the canyon to the river?" "Yes, my son," Sihu said. "I can stay only a short while," Chua said. "My uncle is back, and he can be dangerous. I don't want to leave my mother alone with him very long." "You are a kind son," Sihu said. "I need some reeds and yucca palms for new baskets. I think I'll go to the riverbed with you." "We'll help you down the steep steps," Toho said. Sihu rested in the shade of an overhanging rock after gathering her reeds and grasses. Chua and Toho played in the shallow water of the riverbed. They made reed shooters like the one that Toho had hit Chua with when they first met. They tried making cornhusk boats, but there was not enough water to sail them. The boats kept crashing into the rocks on the bottom of the riverbed and sinking. Toho found an old clay ball that they threw back and forth. It was a relief to be away from Ahote, but Chua knew he must get back. Chua and Toho helped Sihu back up the canyon to her hut, and Chua headed for the mesa with Chosovi on his shoulder. Pavati called to Chua. "Here's a new squash for your mother. This is the only time of year we have fresh things, and it's such a good change from the dried food we eat all the time." "Thank you, Pavati," Chua said. "She'll like it." "Kwaaa, Kwaaa," shrieked Chosovi. |