Read "Things fall apart" by Chinua Achebe online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
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.