It was the old chief of the Delight Makers, the Koshare Naua.
When the last two comers reached the group and offered the usual greeting, the conversation--in which the delegate from Tzitz hanutsh, a short, stout man, and his colleague from Oshatsh had been the loudest participants--came to a sudden stop.

The subject of the discussion was not a reason for its abrupt breaking off, for it was merely the all-absorbing topic as to whether two summers ago it had rained as early as this year.

It was out of respect for the maseua, out of deference to his presence, that the other clan representatives became silent, all except one.

That one was Tyope, who continued the subject, as if he intended to display greater independence than the rest.
Nevertheless, as no one paid attention to his speech, he felt at last constrained to drop into silence.

Not for a long time, however, for as if he wished to atone for his lack of civility he called out to Topanashka,-- "You are late, sa nashtio!" "Early enough yet, satyumishe," replied the old man quietly, and Tyame remarked,-- "Shyuamo dwells nearer to the uuityam than we.