WHAT could Centhini, the faithful servant, have been listening to all those 40 nights? She stayed close to her mistress, Tembangraras. She sat cross-legged near the room even when Tembangraras was with her husband, Amongraga. And there, Centhini, a young girl eager to learn, picked up everything exchanged between the couple as they talked and made love.

And on the 17th night, Amongraga, naked, sat cross-legged on the bed: My love, know that the bo