CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
For the first time in many years Okonkwo had a feeling that was akin to happiness. The
times which had altered so unaccountably during his exile seemed to be coming round
again. The clan which had turned false on him appeared to be making amends.
He had spoken violently to his clansmen when they had met in the marketplace
to decide on their action. And they had listened to him with respect. It was like the good
old days again, when a warrior was a warrior. Although they had not agreed to kill the
missionary or drive away the Christians, they had agreed to do something substantial.
And they had done it. Okonkwo was almost happy again.
For two days after the destruction of the church, nothing happened. Every man
in Umuofia went about armed with a gun or a machete. They would not be caught
unawares, like the men of Abame.
Then the District Commissioner returned from his tour. Mr. Smith went
immediately to him and they had a long discussion. The men of Umuofia did not take
any notice of this, and if they did, they thought it was not important. The missionary
often went to see his brother white man. There was nothing strange in that.
Three days later the District Commissioner sent his sweet-tongued messenger to
the leaders of Umuofia asking them to meet him in his headquarters. That also was not
strange. He often asked them to hold such palavers, as he called them. Okonkwo was
among the six leaders he invited.
Okonkwo warned the others to be fully armed. "An Umuofia man does not
refuse a call," he said. "He may refuse to do what he is asked, he does not refuse to be
asked. But the times have changed, and we must be fully prepared."
And so the six men went to see the District Commissioner, armed with their
machetes. They did not carry guns, for that would be unseemly. They were led into the
courthouse where the District Commissioner sat. He received them politely. They