You have wronged me. You have betrayed our marriage and your wedding vows. And you have physically injured me. For all of that you deserve to be punis...ed. You must be made to tingle and smart. I will make sure that you feel it, and that you regret the wrong that you have done. But, on the other hand, my discipline will be measured and appropriate, not excessively cruel. Always remember that you are my beloved wife. I will always look after you, and I will never desert you."Eight days later, on. In the past, tribes stole maidens from other tribes."This is over. It is as never was. It is of us, not of the dreaming."Learn from the past, do not be held hostage by it."There are maidens here who are eligible for marriage. Let them step forth."About sixteen women, wearing only string skirts stepped forward."And are there men who have spoken to these maidens? Let them, too, step forth."They did, each wearing a tassel."Mothers! Come forth! Maidens, look at the young men!"Maidens. You will be. "So what's the plan?" I muttered, afraid to hear the answer, feeling, yetagain, completely in her hands."We could head back, and you could take your chances," she said. "Try towait him out. Be better, if you looked a little more like you really ..."Her voice trailed off."That isn't the way I really look at all," I said.Her wicked little half grin:"I'm sorry, dear. If you looked like you did last night, I meant. If he'sstill there, I mean."I wondered if he would be. Wondered what might happen. So, get naked.”In my younger days had a ‘She’ walked into my bedroom and said, “Get naked”, I would have been before she finished the sentence. Today, I did what may have set the Guinness Book record for the slowest strip by a male.The shoes were first, followed by the socks. The pants were third and then I stopped. Polo shirt or underwear? Fuck. I dropped my underwear and stood there half hoping that would be enough.“I’m waiting.” Kendi still had her hands on her hips and was still staring.