White Man’s Dog returns from his journey and tells Three Bears and the rest of the Lone Eaters that the other bands approve of Heavy Shield Woman’s vow to serve as the Sacred Vow Woman at the summer ceremony. Three Bears tells Heavy Shield Woman, “Only the strongest of our women have made such a vow, because one needs great strength to prepare for and carry out her duties […] Do you accept the role of the Sacred Vow Woman?” (104).

Heavy Shield Woman replies that her promise has already brought her husband back and that she is “strong and glad in [her] heart to be the Sacred Vow Woman” (105). Soon after, Mik-api tells White Man’s Dog that Yellow Kidney fears that no one will marry Red Paint because of his own misfortunes. White Man’s Dog eagerly asks Mik-api if he will speak to Yellow Kidney about him marrying Red Paint, but Mik-api tells him that he must first tell his parents of his intentions. When he tells his parents, Double Strike Woman tries to persuade him that marrying Little Bird Woman would be a more advantageous alliance, but

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