‘Ma’Chido,’ Babamukuru was saying pacifically, ‘these are not good words.’ ‘No, they are not,’ Maiguru retorted recklessly, ‘but if they are not good things to be said, then neither are they good things to happen. But they are happening here in my home.’ ‘No, Ma’Chido,’ soothed my uncle. ‘It is not as you say.’ ‘It is as I say,’ she insisted.

