"They bring presents, of course," he said, in his own tongue, "because they are badly in want of rain.

We have had much drought of late in Boupari; we need water from heaven.

The banana-bushes wither; the flowers on the bread-fruit tree do not swell to breadfruit; the yams are thirsty.
Therefore the fathers send their daughters with presents, maidens of the villages, all marriageable girls, to ask for rainfall.

But they will always provide for you, and also for the Queen, however you behave; for you are both Korong.

Tu-Kila-Kila has said so, and Heaven has accepted you." "What do you mean by Korong ?" Felix asked, with some trepidation.
The Shadow merely looked back at him with a sort of blank surprise that anybody should be ignorant of so simple a conception.