But since the nashtio also, at least in part, performed similar acts, it could not help producing, slowly and gradually but surely, a tremendous amount of gossip and a corresponding number of speculations of a rather gloomy nature.
That gossip was started in the cave-dwellings of Tzina hanutsh.

The stout representative of the Water clan had married into that cluster, and lived consequently among them with his wife.

He returned home wildly excited; he did not go to rest at all; and when his family awoke they saw him sitting in a corner.

As soon as he declined to eat, remaining there in morose silence, they all knew that he was grieving and chastising himself.

Everybody thought, "The nashtio of Tzitz since his return from the council is doing penance.