Mironda moved uneasily on her mat, then fell to fumbling nervously with the brightly-dyed bark patterns which ornamented it.
Sikoro slouched into the compound, removing his fur cap as he came. Just inside he knelt down and sat on his heels, placing his cap on the ground beside him. He arranged his voluminous skirts carefully round him and then clapped his hands very respectfully.
Mironda did not look at him. After a short interval Sikoro broke the silence.
"Good day to you, Morena."
"Yes, good day."
"And has the Chief's wife slept well?"
"She has."
"And the slaves of her house, have they slept well?"
"They have."
"And is the Chief's wife pleased with the new shawl chosen by Sikoro as a gift from the Chief to his wife?"