I am not sure that she does not frighten me a little." "What does the Inkosikaasi (i.e., the chieftainess) say concerning me, Macumazahn ?" asked Nombe.
"Only what I said, that you are young who she thought would be old, and pretty who she thought would be ugly." "To grow old we must first be young, Macumazahn, and in due season all of us will become ugly, even the Inkosikaasi.

But I thought she said also that she feared me." "Do you know English, Nombe ?" "Nay, but I know how to read eyes, and the Inkosikaasi has eyes that talk.

Tell her that she has no reason to fear me who would be her friend, though I think that she will bring me little luck." It was scarcely necessary, so far as Heda was concerned, but I translated, leaving out the last sentence.
"Say to her that I am grateful who have few friends, and that I will fear her no more," said Heda.
Again I translated, whereon Nombe stretched out her hand, saying-- "Let her not scorn to take it, it is clean.

It has brought no man to his death--" Here she looked at Heda meaningly.
"Moreover, though she is white and I am black, I like herself am of high blood and come of a race of warriors who did nothing small, and lastly, we are of an age, and if she is beautiful, I am wise and have gifts great as her own." Once more I interpreted for the benefit of Anscombe, for Heda understood Zulu well enough, although she had pretended not to do so, after which the two shook hands, to Anscombe's amusement and my wonder.

For I felt this scene to be strained and one that hid, or presaged, something I did not comprehend.
"This is the Chief she loves ?" said Nombe to me, studying Anscombe with her steady eyes after Heda had gone.