Summary

“The Rich and the Poor” “It was a wet day in July, 1939” (82). Nnaife and Ubani learn, from the patronizing Mrs. Meers, that she and her husband are returning to England: they have been called to help in the impending war effort. Nnaife does not fully understand: “he was one of the Africans who were so used to being told they were stupid in those days that they started to believe in their own imperfections” (83). Dr. Meers gives him a good reference, and tells him that the new master will surely make sure he has a good job. Nnaife holds on to that belief, even when Ubani gets a new job, and he and Cordelia move away, leaving Nnaife still unemployed. Soon Nnaife and Nnu Ego are the only ones left in what used to be the well-populated servants’ compound, and their money is...