But this I say, that Imba, the Floweret, shall not be haunted by
the _Isitunzi_ (the ghosts of the dead) who wail in the night," said
Menzi.
He advanced to Tabitha, and holding his hands over her he cried out:
"Sweet eyes, be blind to the _Isitunzi_. Little ears, do not hear their
groans. Spirits, build a garden fence about this flower and keep her
safe from all night-prowling evil things. Imba, little Flower, sleep
softly while others lie awake and tremble."
Then he turned and departed swiftly.
"Dear me!" said the Bishop. "A strange man, a very strange man. I don't
know quite what to make of him."
"I do," answered Thomas, "he is a black-hearted villain who is in league
with the devil."
"Yes, I dare say--I mean as to his being a villain, that is according
to our standards--but does your daughter--a clever and most attractive
little girl, by the way--think so? She seemed to look on him with
affection--one learns to read children's eyes, you know. A very strange
man, I repeat. If we could see all his heart we should know lots of
things and understand more about these people than we do at present. Has
it ever struck you, Mr. Bull, how little we white people _do_ understand
of the black man's soul? Perhaps a child can see farther into it than
we can.
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