CHAPTER FIFTEEN
It was in the second year of Okonkwo's exile that his friend, Obierika, came to visit him.
He brought with him two young men, each of them carrying a heavy bag on his
head. Okonkwo helped them put down their loads. It was clear that the bags were full of
cowries.
Okonkwo was very happy to receive his friend. His wives and children were
very happy too, and so were his cousins and their wives when he sent for them and told
them who his guest was.
"You must take him to salute our father," said one of the cousins.
"Yes," replied Okonkwo. "We are going directly." But before they went he
whispered something to his first wife. She nodded, and soon the children were chasing
one of their cocks.
Uchendu had been told by one of his grandchildren that three strangers had
come to Okonkwo's house. He was therefore waiting to receive them. He held out his
hands to them when they came into his obi, and after they had shaken hands he asked
Okonkwo who they were.
"This is Obierika, my great friend. I have already spoken to you about him."
"Yes," said the old man, turning to Obierika. "My son has told me about you,
and I am happy you have come to see us. I knew your father, Iweka. He was a great
man. He had many friends here and came to see them quite often. Those were good days
when a man had friends in distant clans. Your generation does not know that. You stay
at home, afraid of your next-door neighbour. Even a man's motherland is strange to him
nowadays." He looked at Okonkwo. "I am an old man and I like to talk. That is all I am
good for now." He got up painfully, wen B??F?????W"&????B6?R&6?v?F??????WB??