"Peace, my mother," said Jeekie, patting her on the head. "Do what I
tell you and you shall have more blankets than you can wear and, as you
are still so handsome, another husband too if you like, and a garden and
slaves to work for you and plenty to eat."
"How shall I get all these things, my son?" asked the old woman, looking
up. "Will you take me to your home and support me, or will that white
lord marry me? They told me that the Asika had named him as the Mungana,
and she is very jealous, the most jealous Asika that I have ever known."
"No, mother, he would like to, but he dare not, and I cannot support you
as I should wish, as here I have no house or property. You will get all
this by taking a walk and holding your tongue. You see this man here,
he is Fahni, king of a great tribe, the Ogula. He wants you to carry a
message for him, and by and by he will marry you, won't you, Fahni?"
"Oh! yes, yes," said Fahni; "I will do anything she likes. No one shall
be so rich and honoured in my country, and for her sake we will never
eat another old woman, whereas if she stays here she will be driven to
the mountains to starve in a week.
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