Therefore do not say to me that I am pretty, though I am glad that you should think so who can compare me with so many whom you have known," and she dropped her eyes, looking a little shy.
It was the first human touch I had seen about her, and I was glad to have found a weak spot in her armour.

Moreover, from that moment she was always my friend.
"As you will, Nombe.

Now for your message." "My Lords the Spirits, speaking through Zikali as one who makes music speak through a pipe of reeds, say--" "Never mind what the spirits say.

Tell me what Zikali says," I interrupted.
"So be it, Macumazahn.

These are the words of Zikali: 'O Watcher-by-Night, the time draws on when the Thing-who-should-never-have-been-born will be as though he never had been born, whereat he rejoices.