Muttering some inaudible words, he turned to depart, and in doing so--quite innocently, I think--struck Nandie, knocking her over on to her back and causing the child to fall out of her arms in such fashion that its tender head struck against a pebble with sufficient force to cause it to bleed.
Saduko leapt at him, smiting him across the shoulders with the little stick that he carried.

For a moment Masapo paused, and I thought that he was going to show fight.

If he had any such intention, however, he changed his mind, for without a word, or showing any resentment at the insult which he had received, he broke into a heavy run and vanished among the evening shadows.

Mameena, who had observed all, broke into something else, namely, a laugh.
"Piff! My husband is big yet not brave," she said, "but I do not think he meant to hurt you, woman." "Do you speak to me, wife of Masapo ?" asked Nandie with gentle dignity, as she gained her feet and picked up the stunned child.

"If so, my name and titles are the Inkosazana Nandie, daughter of the Black One and wife of the lord Saduko." "Your pardon," replied Mameena humbly, for she was cowed at once.