O my king!) -
whilst they continued floundering, kicking about their legs,
rubbing their faces, and patting their hands upon
The ground, as
if the king had performed some act of extraordinary munificence
by showing himself to them in that strange and new position - a
thing quite enough to date a new Uganda era from.
The king, without deigning to look upon his grovelling subjects,
said, "Now, mother, take your medicine"; for he had been called
solemnly to witness the medical treatment she was undergoing at
my hands. When she had swallowed her quinine with a wry face,
two very black virgins appeared on the stage holding up the
double red blanket I had given the queen; for nothing, however
trifling, can be kept secret from the king. The whole court was
in raptures. The king signified his approval by holding his
mouth, putting his head on one side, and looking askance at it.
The queen looked at me, then at the blanket and her son in turn;
whilst my men hung down their heads, fearful lest they should be
accused of looking at the ladies of the court; and the Wakungu
n'yanzigged again, as if they could not contain the gratification
they felt at the favour shown them. Nobody had ever brought such
wonderful things to Uganda before, and all loved Bana.
Till now I had expected to vent my wrath on both together for all
past grievances, but this childish, merry, homely scene - the
mother holding up her pride, her son, before the state officers -
melted my heart at once.
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