Listening for Lions: Chapters 3–4

My mind became muddled with visions of lumpy porridge and being locked into a room for misbehavior and having to wear cast-offs.

I knocked on the door, and a servant in a white jacket opened the door. When he saw me, he put his hand over his mouth to stifle a cry.

I was taken aback. I had felt very much alone, so their care was welcome, yet I had a feeling of being taken over, which frightened me.

I found an old suitcase and began to pack my few belongings, conscious all the while of Mrs. Pritchard standing over me, a distasteful look on her face as she saw how worn and shabby my clothes were.

I found an old suitcase and began to pack my few belongings, conscious all the while of Mrs. Pritchard standing over me, a distasteful look on her face as she saw how worn and shabby my clothes were.

He was shocked. “How can you allow such a pagan celebration?” he asked. Father only smiled and said, “Surely such exultation comes from God?”

He was shocked. “How can you allow such a pagan celebration?” he asked. Father only smiled and said, “Surely such exultation comes from God?”

The women were splendid in their beads and wire bracelets and painted faces, the men imposing with ostrich plumes, leopard-skin capes, and necklaces of lions’ teeth.

Around and around the dancers went, chanting, flinging their arms about to the rhythm of the drums, the stamping sending clouds of dust into the air. Sometimes the dance was formal and stately, sometimes fiery and boisterous.

Around and around the dancers went, chanting, flinging their arms about to the rhythm of the drums, the stamping sending clouds of dust into the air. Sometimes the dance was formal and stately, sometimes fiery and boisterous.

I could see that she was anxious to tell her husband of the scandalous ngoma, for she hurried me and my things into a bedroom.

“You will have Valerie’s room,” she said. “You must be tired after your ordeal. Perhaps you should rest for a bit.”

She looked at my worn dress and gave a little shrug, as if I were beyond help. “Dinner is ready, my dear. Perhaps you would like to put on one of Valerie’s frocks. We dress for dinner here.”

Mr. Pritchard said, “I have cabled the mission board that your parents have succumbed to the influenza epidemic.”

Unseen hands had turned down the bed and laid out a nightdress of fine muslin trimmed in lace with narrow blue ribbons drawn though the neck and sleeves.

The woman wore an elegant long linen coat and a large straw hat trimmed with flowers that jounced about as she walked up to the entrance.

“Oh, yes, Valerie is fine,” Mrs. Pritchard said. “I put her to bed early tonight. I don’t want her overtired and susceptible to this terrible illness. She leaves at the end of the week, you know, to go to her grandfather’s in England. I can’t think how we’ll manage without her.”

I could smell the heavy fragrance of her perfume, so strong it almost smothered me.

At the mention of her daughter’s name, Mrs. Pritchard’s eyes became bleary with tears and she had to stop for a moment.

My conscience began to be busy. “It would be a lie,” the conscience said, “and you know it. What would your parents say?”

In a last desperate effort I stammered, “But, Mrs. Pritchard, I don’t think I should go. I’m not Valerie.”

Mrs. Pritchard had begun, “Your name is Valerie Agnes Pritchard. Mr. Pritchard’s father had two sons. The elder son died in the war and left no family. Mr. Pritchard is his second son. If Mr. Pritchard’s father were a just man, Mr. Pritchard would be in England preparing to take over the estate. Unfortunately Mr. Pritchard’s father is prejudiced against him.”

She turned back to me. “We have heard rumors about his money and the estate going to some organization for birds, but no one in his right mind would do such a thing. If you endear yourself to the old man, things may come right.”

First I had to travel through a swampy patch where papyrus and reeds crept up to the road.

In a menacing voice he said, “I am sure, Rachel, that it will not happen again. Now go to your room and tidy yourself for dinner.”