Summary

Odili sleeps late the next morning, but the Minister is out of the house bright and early to go to his office. Mrs. Nanga says she is taking the children home for a visit to her village for a few days. She does this at least once a year so that the children will be aware of their roots and not become too disdainful of the humble life in the country. Odili is pleased Mrs. Nanga is going away, because this clears the way for Elsie to visit him at his guest suite, which he is sure she wouldn’t do if his hostess were at home.

Odili talks about the contrasts in his country. He is staying in a mansion with seven bathrooms, but reads in the newspapers there are very strict guidelines for toilet pails, which are regulated by the City Engineer. Odili recalls...