Inwardly she began counting the number of days to the full moon. About ten sleeps away, she said to herself. There will be time for one more visit from my father. How can I make him decide to take me? What can I do that will prove to him that I am more courageous than other girls, that I am strong and have no fear?
Half dreaming, she began to leave the hut.
“Where are you going, Nomusa?” asked her mother.
“To play Hlungulu with Themba,” she murmured. “I promised him.”
FOUR: Nomusa and Her Brothers
Hardly had Nomusa’s head appeared at the entrance of the hut when Themba pounced on it, trying to get astride her neck, shouting, “My calf wins the race!”
“Get off, Themba!” Nomusa protested, though she had to laugh at him. “I’m no calf. And who told you about calf races? They are absolutely forbidden.”
“Kangata told me. He said they have fun with calves in the pasture.”