"Mugo's throat was choked; if he spoke, he would cry. He shook his head and stared straight ahead." —Chapter 3, page 23

"Would these things remain after Thursday? Perhaps for two months: and then—test-tubes and beakers would be broken or lie un-washed on the cement, the hot-houses and seed-beds strewn with wild plants and the outer bush which had been carefully hemmed, would gradually creep into a litter-filled compound." —Chapter 4, page 41

"The African only came there to sweep the streets, drive the buses, shop and then go home to the outskirts before nightfall. Gikonyo had a vision of African businessmen like himself taking over all those premises!" —Chapter 6, page 61

"He wanted to shout: that is not it at all; I did not want to come back; I did not long to join my mother, or wife or child because I did not have any." &mdash...