In Search of an Unknown Race — page 129: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

VAN. | 119 interrupted Van—and probably it was this reflection which made him draw a little nearer his fair relative, who did not seem in the least offended. ‘‘ Yes,’ Ninada answered slowly ; ‘‘ but then, except- ing from my father himself, I have only heard the teach- ings of my mother’s people. But I will tell you frankly, as my father told me to do,” she said, suddenly, “andl know you will neither laugh at nor ridicule me.” ‘‘Never,” returned Van, with more emphasis than the occasion would seem tocall for; and Ninada, lowering her voice involuntarily, went on ; ‘From something told her by my grandfather,” she half whispered, ‘‘my mother believed that it would be unsafe for me to remain in Itambez from my sixteenth to my seventeeth year; so she made father promise just before she died that I should leave the country. That is what he had to tell me—with other things— to- day.” ‘To leave Itambezi!” responded Van, in tones of strong amazement. ‘‘But where would you go, Ninada?” ‘<7 your own land—when_you are ready to go back,” was the reply, and I do not wonder that as he heard it, Van gave a great start of astonishment. GoOMmichbooks (Ele) im