They lowered their assegais and let me pass, and I entered the hut of Baleka.

In it were others of the king's wives, but when they saw me they rose and went away, for it was not lawful that they should stay where I was.

Thus I was left alone with my sister.
For awhile she lay silent, and I did not speak, though I saw by the heaving of her breast that she was weeping.
"Hush, little one!" I said at length; "your sorrow will soon be done." "Nay," she answered, lifting her head, "it will be but begun.

Oh, cruel man! I know the reason of your coming.

You come to murder the babe that shall be born of me." "It is the king's word, woman." "It is the king's word, and what is the king's word?
Have I, then, naught to say in this matter ?" "It is the king's child, woman." "It is the king's child, and it is not also my child?
Must my babe be dragged from my breast and be strangled, and by you, Mopo?
Have I not loved you, Mopo?
Did I not flee with you from our people and the vengeance of our father?
Do you know that not two moons gone the king was wroth with you because he fell sick, and would have caused you to be slain had I not pleaded for you and called his oath to mind?
And thus you pay me: you come to kill my child, my first-born child!" "It is the king's word, woman," I answered sternly; but my heart was split in two within me.
Then Baleka said no more, but, turning her face to the wall of the hut, she wept and groaned bitterly.
Now, as she wept I heard a stir without the hut, and the light in the doorway was darkened.