But her last defence remained to be stormed.
'If only you had come when I sent,' was her cry.
Archie stared.
'The letter Jacketi brought,' she repeated.
'I never saw Jacketi,' he said slowly.
She told him of the despairing letter she had sent, of Jacketi's return without an answer, and of the days she had waited.
He dropped his hands hopelessly.
'Jacketi never came near me. He must have turned into some village for a beer-drink.'
'Damn him, damn him!' cried Norah, and then in a dead voice, 'No, it's I who am damned.'
The work gang returned trailing the lushishi ropes. Husband and wife stood silent while the capitao prepared another log for hauling.