The Village in the Jungle

by Leonard Woolf

'I understand, Hamadoru,' said Silindu. But he thought, 'They are cunning hunters. They lie still in the undergrowth, waiting for the old bull to move. But he knows: he stands quite still.'

'Is there any reason why the headman should bring a false case against you and the accused?'

'I don't know, Hamadoru.'

'You are not on bad terms with him personally.'

'I have nothing against him. He does not like me, they say.'

'Why doesn't he like you?'

'Hamadoru, how should I know that?'

'You have never had any quarrel with him?'

'No, Hamadoru.'

'Are you related to him?'