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beating of Bongani. He pretends that it is all over for him too. But, as Nomsa relates to him how her meeting that afternoon went, he keeps reliving the pain and confusion he felt when she beat him. Thanks to his role-playing ability, she is honestly convinced and gratified that her husband has not only forgiven her, but has completely forgotten about the beating.
    “Remember that we African women were doubly oppressed,” she says about the meeting. “We were oppressed as black people and also oppressed as women. Now we have attained our freedom as blacks, but our struggle as women continues.” She takes a heavy, long breath. “And we intend to win!”
    Suddenly she leaves the room as if she fears something deadly is lurking. Bongani thinks about the days when he was growing up. His mother told him that if he was in the room with the cat and there was thunder and lightning, if the cat dashes out of the room he should follow it. It means there is danger. Now he smiles as he decides that if there was lightning and Nomsa was the cat, he would not follow her. He is not young any more. But he knows that his wife left because she is on the verge of crying. It amazes him how Nomsa is so touchedby the cause of women. Every time they speak about the plight of women, she changes dramatically, getting more fearsome to Bongani.
    “I wonder why she hates men so much?” he asks himself.

5
    Priest knows that his wife is not absolutely wrong to consider the possibility of seeking work at the farm. It has become clear that he is unlikely to get a job anywhere else. Many people disapprove of farm work because of meagre wages and bad conditions there. “But things have changed now,” he thinks. “Apartheid is gone and workers, including farm workers, have rights.” But new laws or old ones, this is not the kind of work for a man as respectable as he is. Hasn’t he been degraded enough? Even his priest’s garb, the only suit he has left, is now threadbare. His shoes? He might as well have none, so worn are they.
    His wife keeps pestering him about making a smart decision. Though the only smart decision to her mind is for Priest to decide to go to work at the farm.
    “How much do you think Mr Johnson is going to pay us, or let me say, those who will work for him?” Priest asks her. He is beginning to give in to her persuasion. There is nothing very bright about farm work, but he tries to think positively about the money and the prospect of earning something, anything.
    MaDuma realises she is winning him over. She is smart enough to understand that if she tells him the truth, he may be discouraged. So she almost doubles the money that she heard will be paid to tree workers: “It’s not that bad. R30 per day.”
    Having received the answer, Priest looks fixedly at one spot, notwinking or blinking. Then he says, “It’s about six hundred a month. It’s indeed worth a try. It’s better than having to go begging.”
    “I’m glad you see that, Father. We and our children will not starve like this if you work there,” MaDuma says with a sense of satisfaction. She has won her womanly battle of convincing the man to do the right thing.
    Priest finally agrees that he will try his luck at the farm on Monday. During the weekend he spends a lot of time considering the decision he has made. He thinks that, despite everything, he has taken the right path. He thinks about the things he can do with R600 and realises how limited they are. But he will be staying at home, not having to pay for transport like he had to do when he was working at the bacon factory.
    In the sermon on Sunday, he preaches about the importance of taking responsibility. This means doing all people can in order to fulfil their duties, no matter how much sacrifice is involved. He makes an example of the present situation where many people are without jobs, thus rendered unable to support their families and themselves.
    “But if you wait and listen, if you keep quiet