At least, she didn't tell me her plans, really, except to say that she wanted to, well, get some distance."I looked up at the faces surrounding me. Ca...tain Tony was looking down, and was just shaking his head slowly back and forth. Simone looked like she was about to cry, which made me realize I'd gotten through the announcement without crying. Maybe I was cried out. Moira and Joanne looked like they each wanted to give me a hug, but were holding themselves back. Jake just grimaced. Saralinda. "This will teach you to talk back, young lady," She smiled as she pickedup a small leather device that looked like a half-sliced pear. "Stickthat naughty tongue out!"It was one of the most sophisticated gags on the market. I obedientlyheld out my tongue as Angela slipped the object over it, then screwed itshut, clamping my tongue firmly inside. The entire thing slipped into mymouth easily enough, although I had to keep my lips slightly open, in ahalf-smile, to accommodate it. Once in, it was. "Shane was motioning me from his table. I wanted to just keep on walking,but I couldn't help but stop. Even worse, I could feel my face drop inconcern as my hands clasped apologetically. Oh, boy. This was sohumiliating!"Oh my gosh," 'gosh'?! I never said 'gosh' in my whole life; "I'm sosorry about that, sir. It's bouncing off the walls in here today. I'llbring those right over to you. So sorry again."I hurried back to the kitchen station as fast as I could; wanting tobreak out of this new. ”Ida asked, “That sounds like an arranged marriage to me. Do you not have any choice?” She talked as she walked her mare around the corral. Followed by Ellienne and her stud.“Oh, I can hardly wait to meet him. He’s my age and he doesn’t even know of me as yet.”Ida explained her own situation, “Girl, you got some strange customs down in New Orleans. But then I reckon my folks do too. I come here to meet my grandpa, who happens to be my daddy!” She laughed when Ellienne laughed at her.