Somehow that word is always to be trusted. ‘Hodi’ — we who have used it know it would scorch the lips of a liar and make a cinder of a thief’s tongue. It is a gentle word, a word of honour, asking an answer gently. And there is an answer. I rise from the chair and look out through the door, seeing no one, and give the answer. ‘Kaaribu!’ I have said, ‘Come —you are welcome.’
