CHAPTER IX.
Sosee had come down from the tree in which she received the news of the rape of Orlee, described in Chapter I, and, though she had given orders to Koree to bring back the child, she did not herself remain inactive. She rushed into the crowd, and, calling upon all, with wild screams, to rescue the child, went herself into the Swamp, and without any notion of where she was going, wandered about aimlessly till night, being completely lost. She found her way back only by the light of the moon, whose position in the heavens was some guide in her wanderings. Nor would she have returned at all, had she not hoped that some one else had, in the mean while, brought back the child.
On returning to the place from which she had started, she was distressed to learn that Orlee was not found, and she could scarcely be restrained from immediately starting again in pursuit of her. As Koree, however, had not yet returned, having searched farther and later than any, except Sosee, she hoped that he, inspired by her love, would come back with success. She had most confidence in him because she had most love for him, believing that what most pleased her fancy would best serve her purpose.
Her first disappointment in love was when she saw Koree return without the child; for in this crisis she felt more for her sister than for her lover, the newly lost being ever dearer than the long loved. Koree had failed to meet her expectation, or rather her desire; and in times of disappointment the little that is lacking outweighs all that is not.
“You have failed to bring back Orlee and the tail of the fat baboon,” she said, “Despair of my love till you fetch me both.”
This was spoken in the half-articulate manner already explained, as was the balance of the conversation (which we translate, however, into modern expression).
“What all the race of the Ammi could not do,” he replied, “you ought not to blame your lover for not accomplishing.”
“The love of one,” she retorted, “can do more than the indifference of many. If Orlee is ever found it will be by love, and not by numbers.”