The motive that actuated her in this matter was simply the apparent physical fitness of the match and the momentary advantages that she, considering her own age and the loose nature of Indian marriages, might eventually derive from the daily presence of Okoya at her home.

In other words, she desired the good-looking youth as much for herself as for her child, and saw nothing wrong in this.

From the day when Okoya for the first time trod the roof of her dwelling in order to protect Mitsha, she had set her cap for him.
But she knew that there was no love on the part of Tyope for the relatives of Okoya, paternal or maternal, and she was too much afraid of him to venture open consent to a union that might be against his wishes.

In her mind Tyope was the only stumbling-block in the path of the two young people; that is, in the way of her own desires.
She had consequently set to work with a great deal of tact and prudence in approaching Tyope about the matter.

After a number of preparatory skirmishes, she at last ventured to tell him of it.