I said that I was glad to hear it, and went on to call upon Masapo, who received me with enthusiasm, as also did Mameena.
Here I noted with pleasure that this pair seemed to be on much better terms than I understood had been the case in the past, for Mameena even addressed her husband on two separate occasions in very affectionate language, and fetched something that he wanted without waiting to be asked.

Masapo, too, was in excellent spirits, because, as he told me, the old quarrel between him and Saduko was thoroughly made up, their reconciliation having been sealed by an interchange of gifts.

He added that he was very glad that this was the case, since Saduko was now one of the most powerful men in the country, who could harm him much if he chose, especially as some secret enemy had put it about of late that he, Masapo, was an enemy of the King's House, and an evil-doer who practised witchcraft.

In proof of his new friendship, however, Saduko had promised that these slanders should be looked into and their originator punished, if he or she could be found.
Well, I congratulated him and took my departure, "thinking furiously," as the Frenchman says.

That there was a tragedy pending I was sure; this weather was too calm to last; the water ran so still because it was preparing to leap down some hidden precipice.
Yet what could I do?
Tell Masapo I had seen his wife being embraced by another man?
Surely that was not my business; it was Masapo's business to attend to her conduct.