Zashue seemed vexed at being called home.  He looked around with a scowl, for Hayoue, whom he had expected to meet, was not there.

“Why did you call me, koitza?” he grumbled, “satyumishe is not here.  Give me something to eat!” He threw himself down on the floor.  Shyuote nestled by his side, proud of being under his father’s immediate protection.  Zashue said to him,—­

“Have you eaten, sa uishe?”

“Not yet.”

“Why don’t you feed Shyuote?” Zashue asked his wife.  “Surely Okoya had his stomach full long ago, whereas this poor little frog here—­”

“This toad, you ought to call him,” Say interrupted her husband, in a tone of indignation.  “He has been away from home all day, as he is wont to be.  Besides, when he came home at last, he beat his little sister.  Okoya was here early, therefore Okoya got what belonged to him.”  She placed the food on the floor before her husband, and proceeded in a dry tone,—­

“Hayoue has gone to call sa nashtio.  I want the maseua to hear what we have to say to you.”

Zashue was surprised at his wife’s manner.  She spoke in a way that betokened more resolution than he was wont to see her display.  But he was in her house, and had to accept the situation.  So he fell to eating, careful all the while to supply his favourite child with the best morsels.  At the close of the meal Hayoue returned, saying,—­

“Sa nashtio is coming soon.”  Turning to his brother he asked,—­

“Where have you been all day, satyumishe?”

“With the naua,” was the short reply.  “And you?”

“At home; I felt tired from yesterday.”

“And from kenayte!” Zashue taunted, laughing.  Say joined in the laugh.

“I don’t ask you where you were last night.”

“At home.”  Say confirmed it.

“Surely?”

“Certainly.”

“Then you are better than people say.”

“Sh—­sh—!” the woman cried, pointing to Shyuote, “you need not speak thus.  Sa uishe,”—­she turned to the boy,—­“go to rest.”

“I won’t!” growled the disobedient child, “I want to hear what you say.”

“That is just what you shall not,” commanded the woman.  “Go out at once.  Lie down on the hides.”

Even the father became impatient now, for he saw that nothing would be said in the boy’s presence.  So he ordered him to leave.  Slowly and reluctantly Shyuote obeyed; but when his sullen glance accidentally met the eye of Hayoue he accelerated his motions.  His uncle was not a favourite of his.

“Well, what do you want?  Why did you call me?” This query Zashue negligently addressed to his brother, as if expecting the latter to inform him of the object of the interview.  But it was Say Koitza who undertook the task of replying.  In earnest and measured tones she said,—­

“Umo, we have called and sent for you in order to tell you that Okoya, my child, your son, is going with the girl of Tyope.  Now we wish to ascertain what you think of it, and what you have to say.”