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Bear Boy did not know, as local people did, how there would be no mother-in-law for the bride. In years past that Noble Lady died trying to birth a brother for the son who was now to be married. But no matter. People clapped and shouted. What a clever animal! More clever than scores of fellows they knew.
“Lady-Bear, Lady-Bear, show how the bride greets her groom on the day of her wedding.”
Dancing Bear rose up, folded her fore legs so her paws crossed just so over her heart, lowered her head in a coy manner.
Bear Boy spoke for her, squeaky voiced, “Be gentle with me, Sir!”
The crowd murmured and grinned. A rat-faced little beggar girl danced into the space people had left between themselves and the bear. The child took it upon herself to play the groom, mimicked the stance of an entitled man. She posed, wide-legged and upright, chin in her hand. On a worthless bit of girl, the pridefulness was startling. She looked the beast-bride up and down. She puckered her lips and shrugged as if to say, —It will have to do.
Dancing Bear preened before the small Beggar’s gaze. People exclaimed and cheered. What a likeness! Their own Noble Son carried himself just so.
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Only Bear Boy did not approve of the Beggar’s sudden appearance. He smoldered behind a rigid smile, directed his thoughts to his bear. —Stay with me, you bitter bloody beast. Stay with me.
Dancing Bear chortled. —Green jealousy in a green boy.
Bear Boy beat the drum and shouted too loudly in his performing voice, “Lady-Bear, Lady-Bear, show us the bride on her wedding night.”
The beast took her paws from her heart and covered her eyes with them.
“So bashful, our bride! So chaste!” cried the boy.
With a rousing growl Dancing Bear rolled onto her back and wriggled, waved her four legs in the air. Oh, how people cried out with joy! They pounded each other on the back.
The Beggar gave a whoop and, jubilant bridegroom, leaped onto the bear’s belly. The two rolled in the dirt. Onlookers fairly burst themselves with laughter.
In that public moment the Bear Trainer’s ghost chose to return. He slammed his way inside his son’s head. He bludgeoned his son’s brain until a red rage howled through the bloody chambers of Bear Boy’s body.