"But tell me this tale also." So I told her the tale of the birth of Umslopogaas, for I trusted her.
"Ah," she said, when I had finished, "ah! you come of a bad stock, Umslopogaas, though it is a kingly one.

I shall love you little henceforth, child of the hyena man." "Then that is bad news," said Umslopogaas, "for know, Nada, I desire now that you should love me more than ever--that you should be my wife and love me as your husband!" Now the Lily's face grew sad and sweet, and all the hidden mockery went out of her talk--for Nada loved to mock.
"Did you not speak to me on that night in the Halakazi caves, Umslopogaas, of one Zinita, who is your wife, and Inkosikaas of the People of the Axe ?" Then the brow of Umslopogaas darkened: "What of Zinita ?" he said.

"It is true she is my chieftainess; is it not allowed a man to take more than one wife ?" "So I trust," answered Nada, smiling, "else men would go unwed for long, for few maids would marry them who then must labour alone all their days.

But, Umslopogaas, if there are twenty wives, yet one must be first.

Now this has come about hitherto: that wherever I have been it has been thrust upon me to be first, and perhaps it might be thus once more--what then, Umslopogaas ?" "Let the fruit ripen before you pluck it, Nada," he answered.