Page 7 of Circle of Days
Without waking, the puppy farted loudly. Han roared with laughter and Pia giggled.
“She doesn’t like the name Pretty,” Ani said with a smile. “Sit down, Seft. Be comfortable.”
Seft and Neen sat on the ground. Seft thought this was going quite well. He had chatted to Neen’s mother and her little brother, and had not yet embarrassed himself. He felt they liked him. He liked them, too.
Neen’s younger sister, Joia, appeared, carrying her shoes. “You found Neen, then,” she said to Seft. She put her shoes near the fire to dry.
“Yes—thanks for your help.”
“Do you like being a miner?”
It was a direct question, and Seft decided to give a direct answer. “No. And I don’t like working for my father. I’m going to leave as soon as I can figure out how to make a living on my own.”
Ani said: “That’s interesting, Seft. What might you do instead of mining?”
“That’s the problem—I don’t know. I’m a good carpenter, so I might make disc shovels, hammers, or bows. Do you think I could trade them for food?”
“Certainly,” said Ani, “especially if they were better than what people could make for themselves.”
“Oh, they would be that,” Seft said.
Joia commented: “You’re very confident.”
She was a challenging person, Seft noted. But she could also be kind. A person could be both. Thoughtfully, he said: “Isn’t it important to know what you’re good at and bad at?”
Joia said mischievously: “What are you bad at, Seft?”
Neen protested: “Unfair question!”
“I’m not good at making conversation,” Seft admitted. “In the pit we hardly say three words all day.”
“You talk very nicely,” Neen said. “Take no notice of my little sister—she’s mean.”
“Dinner is ready,” Ani said, averting a sisterly spat. “Joia, fetch bowls and spoons.”
The daylight dimmed as they ate. The air became pleasantly mild, and the sky took on the soft grey hue of twilight. It was going to be a warm night.
The food was delicious. The meat had been cooked withwild roots. He tasted silverweed, burdock, and pignut. They had softened and soaked up the flavor of the beef.
Seft reflected on the contrast between this family and his own. Neen’s family were all nice to one another. There was no hostility here. Joia was combative, but nothing serious. He felt sure they never hit one another.
He wondered what was going to happen when night fell. Would he have to return to his father and brothers? Or would he be allowed to sleep here—perhaps next to Neen? He hoped that somehow he and Neen would spend the night together.
When they finished supper, Ani told Neen to take the bowls and spoons to the river and wash them, and Seft naturally went with her. As they dipped the dinnerware in the water, Neen said: “I think Pretty would be a good name for a puppy.”
Seft said: “I’ve never had a dog. But when I was a boy I longed for one, and I wanted to call it Thunder.”
Neen chuckled. “She’s too cute to be called Thunder.”
“Han can say it’s because of the way she farts.”
Neen laughed. “That’s perfect! He thinks farting is hilarious—he’s at that age.”
“I know. I was that age once. I remember it well.”
Walking back, Seft heard a man’s voice from behind say: “Hello, Neen.” The tone was warm. He turned to see a tall man of about twenty midsummers.
Neen turned and smiled. Seft reluctantly felt obliged to stop too. Neen said: “Hello, Enwood. Are you all ready for the Rite?”
