“How do we know the time has come?”
“Because, my son, you have arrived at the years of manhood.”
“I am but sixteen years.”
The younger minister answered, quickly:
“It will require four or five years, at least, in England to learn the language and ways of your people thoroughly.”
“I already speak that language,” said Koma, flushing darkly. “Do I not, sir excellency?”
“No and yes. You have been brought up to speak the language. It is intelligible, but queer—wrong, somehow. You speak your father’s language like a foreigner.”
“Very well,” agreed Koma, bitterly. “Let us admit that. But may I inquire whether it will be necessary for me to go all the way to England to learn that language?”
“Well, yes. Four years in an English school will do much for you.”
“Four years; and when those four years are ended I still will lack one year from my majority.”