"Very poor joke, Major, very poor indeed," said Jeekie when they had
reached their own apartment. "Lady make love to _you_; _you_ play prig
and lecture lady about holy customs of her country and she box _my_ ear
till head sing, also kick me all over and throw sharp claws in face.
Please you do it no more. The next time, who knows? she stick knife in
_my_ gizzard, then kiss _you_ afterward and say she so sorry and hope
she no hurt _you_. But how that help poor departed Jeekie who get all
kicks, while you have ha'pence?"

"Oh! be quiet," said Alan; "you are welcome to the halfpence if you
would only leave me the kicks. The question is, how am I to get out of
this mess? While she was a beautiful savage devil, one could deal with
the thing, but if she is going to become human it is another matter."

Jeekie looked at him with pity in his eyes.

"Always thought white man mad at bottom," he said, shaking his big head.
"To benighted black nigger thing so very simple. All you got to do, make
love and cut when you get chance. Then she pleased as Punch, everything
go smooth and Jeekie get no more kicks. Christian religion business very
good, but won't wash in Asiki-land. Your reverend uncle find out that."

Not wishing to pursue the argument, Alan changed the subject by asking
his indignant retainer if he thought that the Asika had meant what she
said when she offered to send the gold down to the coast.

"Why not, Major? That good lady always mean what she say, and what she
do too," and he dabbed wrathfully at the scratches made by the lion's
claws on his face, then added, "She know her own mind, not like
shilly-shally, see-saw white woman, who get up one thing and go to bed