and she began to prophesy. But tonight she was addressing her prophecy and greetings
to Okonkwo, and so everyone in his family listened. The folk stories stopped.
"Agbala do-o-o-o! Agbala ekeneo-o-o-o-o," came the voice like a sharp knife
cutting through the night. "Okonkwo! Agbala ekme gio-o-o-o! Agbala cholu ifu ada ya
Ezinmao-o-o-oi"
At the mention of Ezinma's name Ekwefi jerked her head sharply like an animal
that had sniffed death in the air. Her heart jumped painfully within her.
The priestess had now reached Okonkwo's compound and was talking with him
outside his hut. She was saying again and again that Agbala wanted to see his daughter,
Ezinma. Okonkwo pleaded with her to come back in the morning because Ezinma was
now asleep. But Chielo ignored what he was trying to say and went on shouting that
Agbala wanted to see his daughter. Her voice was as clear as metal, and Okonkwo's
women and children heard from their huts all that she said. Okonkwo was still pleading
that the girl had been ill