But it was equally true that Okoya's thoughts were with his own affairs exclusively, and his uncle's talk affected him mainly on that score.

It increased his already uneasy feelings.

The fear that Mitsha would be given him only on condition that he became Koshare was now stronger than ever, and his prospects appeared still further complicated in the light of Hayoue's disclosures.

Nevertheless, nothing was absolutely certain so far; and he could not precipitate matters.

In his case, too, there was nothing left but to wait.
The shower, which was sending floods of moisture into the valleys farther south, only grazed the Rito, sending a short and light rain upon its growing crops.