HOW TO WRITE

ANL)

REPLY LETTERS FOR MARRIAGE,

VIUL YOU

MARRY ME?

MARIA replied ''yes".

HOW TO WRITE
AN1)

REPLY LETTERS FOR MARRIAGE,

ENGAGEMENT LETTERS,
L O V E LETTERS
AND

H 9 W TO KNOW A GIRL

TO MARRY

THE PUBLISHER

CONTENTS
How to write good letters about marriage
Important questions for men.
H0.w to know a girl to marry.
Questions for girls.
No. 1. letter comes from Christopher lke to Maria Ngozi
asking to marry her.
No. 2. Maria replies.
No. 3. Second letter from Christopher to Maria Ngozi
about marriage.
No, 4. Maria replies the second letter.
No. 5. A letter from Edward Mark to Paulina Ifeorna.
No. 6. Paulina replies Edward Mark.

Table of Contents
CHAPTER

2 An impressive love letter written by John

Ukete to Edina.

CHAPTER

3 An immediate reply to Johnny's letter

cmPTeR

4 My love letter to you Ifeyi.

CHAPTER

5 Ifeyi replies Dandy's letter.

CHAPTER

6 Paddy writes to Sabina.

CHAPTER

7 Sabina replies Paddy's emotional letter.

CHAPTER

8 Charlie writes a love letter to Lucy.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER

9
10
11
12

CHAPTER

13
14

CHAPTER

15

CHAPTER

16
17
18
19
20
21

CHAPTER

CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER

CHAPTER
CHAPTEU
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER

22
23
24
25
26

27
28
29
30
31
32

Lucy's comprehensive reply.

My heart yearns for your love Felly.
Felly replies critically,
"Ike has my love letter" says Monica The
letter.
Ike replies heartly.
A letter of engagement written by Nwokeoma to Patricia.
Patricia heartly replies.
Nwokeoma replies favourably.
A promising letter for a visit.
Patricia heartly replies.
Ifeyinwa writes a 1ttl:er of engagement.
A reply to Ifeyinwzis letter.
P. P. 9tuchisirikwu writes an engagement
letter to Miss Rose.
Miss Rose replies.
Otobo writes engagement letter to Anti.
She replies the engagement letter.
Nware writes a letter of engagement to Ben
Ben's reply
The charming love letter.
The happy reply.
The reply.
Helen's engagement letter to Rich.
Rich replies.
Felly replies.

INTRODUCTION
Ladies and gentlemen, for many years, 1 have been
receiving uncounted letters from many people both men
and women, together with boys and girls asking me to
teach them how to write and reply letters for marriage,
Engagement letters, Love letters and how to know a
girl to marry.
You will learn the styles and ways to write them
when you read this handbook of knowledge. Read
and answer questions for men and questions for girls.
You cannot become a good letter writer if you
don't study how to write letters.
The letters are very interesting and reasonable, and the
English very educative. Read and recomend to your
friends one by one and they must never forget you.
By J. ABIAKAM
The Author

HOW TO WRITE .COOD...LCTTEHS.:ABOUT MARRIAGE

They are:-

(2)

(I) Letters for marriage.

i 3 ) Love letters.

Engagement letters

Let me start first with letters for marriage

(a) A man can be disappointed by educated girls if he
does not know how to write good letters for marriage
From your letter s n int:'lligent girl will be able to tell
the type of man you are and whcther to say yesor no.
Brfortl you write such letter to a girl, she must be
somebody yo11 know c?r hive met so~nelimein a train, on
the way, in the market, in ths school, in the taxi etc.
And she must know you as well. You cannot write to
unknown girl asking for marriage.
Many young men have been disappointed by some
educated girls bxause they do not know how to write
correct letters.
When writing to a girl you want to. marry, do not
tell her that you are very rich and that you have this and
that. it is the work of' the girl' . i n question to find out
your background before she can say yes o r no.
'

Do not go to a girl whom you know that i s

bein : married by another person and ask her to marry
you because you are rich. You must look for another girl.
If you have the money, there are many beautiful girls
to marry.
Ma~!y a!one cannot mtke you happy in you family
love, children and long life is very important.

QUESTIONS FOR M I N
Are you ready to marry? If not when will you d o
so? What type of eirl will you marry, illitrate, passing
six, cambridge holder, nurse o r teacher?
Will you marry black o r yellow girl, tall o r short girl,
beautiful o r ugly girl, fashionable o r timid girl? Do you
get money to maintain a girl and live with her? Can
you stand the sweet and bitterness of rr-arriage? From
what t o w n will you chose a wife? Have you seen
the girl you want to marry or are you on the journey
to it.

HOW T' KMQW A GIRL MARRY

Refore you tell a girl that you want to marry her, you
must make all reasonahle and necessary investigations
about the girl and her family.

If the investigations goes in her favour, then tell

her openly that you want to marry her.
In case she refuses, you can make more attempts by
presenting to her your desire to be a good husband to
her. If she still refuses, you can go with your best friend
o r her relative to speak more. If all your attempts
fail, leave her and find another girl. Do not beg a girl
or force her to marry you because forced mhrriage can
never last long.

QUESTIONS FOR GIRLS

Are you married or are you not? Did any man promise to
marry you, if so when? Wov are you sure that the man
uill marry you and not to disappoint you? Do y ~ u
think that the man has money to marry and carry the
responsibilities of a husband? Do the mart love you as
you love him? Do you know his work and his home
town? Is he the type of man whom you can be proud
of being your husband? Read the whole questions and
know the answers by yourszlf.
Thank you.
9 n e book says "Do not claim that you have good
luck until you marry." You can begin your letter for
marriage like this:My dear Paulina
Honest Mary
Humble Agnes
Sociable Comfort
Gentle Agnes

or.........................................................
or......................................................
or
or .......................................................
or........................................................

No I letter comes from Christopher lke to Maria Ngozi

asking to marry her.

It reads:

Christopher Ike,
No. 1, Government Rd.,
Lagos-Nigeria.
6/6/65.

My dear Maria,

I know this letter niay surprise you but I trust you

will consider my request and do me a favour. Ever
since we me in the train two weeks ago, 1 have never
stopped to think of you.
I have seen hundreds of girls in the town but you
are the very one 1 love and want to marry too. Therefore
do not disappoint me or refuse a true voice calling- you
.
for marriage;
MY love for you is ireat and if we become husband
and whe we shail make a happy hdme. 1 have mapy
things to tell you durmg my next writing.
I am putting my pen to rest for the night is coming.
Never forget I love you and I want to marry you.
Reply my letter and tell me' your opinion.
Yours.
Chr:stopher Ike.
No. 2 Maria replies.

Maria received the letter and after she has read it,
she said to herself I d o not know whether Christoper
means it, some men are very crazy when they sec beautiful girls.
Anyway 1 shall reply this letter but I must never be
very plain to him until he writes me the second time.
Her 1e1:er reads
Maria Ngozi,
No. 244 Zik'g Avenue,
Enugu-Nigeria.
12/6/65.
Dear Christopher,
Your letter dated 6/6/65 was received and I understood the contents very well. Such request is something
I must make time and give due consideration belore
giving you the answer.

I herefoffi:;I cannaL.say..Yes.or.,.No .now. since. it was

not in agenda of thought.
I shall likely. give
you my full answer some time not
.
yet known.
I am.
Maria Ngozi.
No. 3 second letter from Christopher to Maria Ngozi

Christopher received the lettsr and read it. Let me

hope she will agree, Christopher said,to himself. 1 know
she must pretend because beautiful girls like to pretend
when men go to marry them. I will write her very soon
to know the answer. She is beautiful, 1 am handsome
and I have money. Now reads his second letter to Maria
which reads as follot*s
Christopher Iki,
No. 1. Government Rd.,
Lagos-Nigeria.
18/6/65.
Gentle Maria,
1 am in receipt of your letter dated 12th June 1965.
I vent through the letter but an not sure of the answer.
I mean to marry you and must never disappoint you.
If we become married, I will do everything to 'you as
a good husband would do to his wife.
Do not l-c confused by young men who may promise
to marry you and never to those your girl friends who
may advise you to disappomt the man. My love for you is
great and my request comes from the kot om of my heart.
My hope is on you. Come to me, stay with me and
never forget me in your dreams of marriage. I beleive
after reading this letter your answer will be on my favour.
I beg to put down my pen and go to rest for the day.
Yours Christopher.
No. 4 Maria replies the second letter

After few days this letter reached ~ a r i a . ' S h eread it

and began to think of it. Seven days has passed and Maria
was in deep thought. At last she concluded and agreed to
marry 'Christopher.
9

Maria Ngozi,
No. 244. Zik's Avenue.
My Dear Christopher,
Your second letter came to my notice two days ago'
For many days I have been in deep consideration ahour
your request.
Many are coming to marry me and some have even
told my parents thinking they should get me through
them. But for your sake I have disappointed them.
From this day know me as your wife and you are
my husband. Write me immediately ,and tell me when
you will come to settle my parents.
Yours,.
Marla Ngozi.
No. 5 A letter from Edward hark

This is another letter from Edward Mark, a kigh

Elementary Teacher in Government School, Lagos to
Paulina Ifeoma who teaches in a Secondary School.
The letter reads:
Edward Mark,
St. John's School,
P. 9. Box 9.
Lagos.
7/7/65.

Honest Paulina.
We have known ourselves for a long time and I
believe you cannot disappoint me.
Now 1 am writing to ask your hand in marriage.
So far men and women are created to make choice and
marry the one they like. 1 wish to marry you.

After reading this letter, .do, not neilect .me and never
turn down my request.
My qualification in education is certainly known to
you the type of person 1 am 1s something you can tell
better.

If we get married, we will build a strong and happy

home. I put down my pen to wait for your reply.
I am,
yours,
Eduard Mark.
NF.

6 Paulina replies Edward Mark

The letter reached Paulina in three days time. After

reading it, she refused to marry him.
Read her reply:

Paulina Ifeoma,
Secondary School,
Box 44,
Ibadan,
14 -7-65.

Dear Edward,
Your letter was received and I am sorry to disappoint
you in this question of marriage.
I have for many years decided that I will not marry a
teacher in Elementary School. To say this does not meau
hatred on you, but my reasons are best known to me.
You have known my educational qualification and 'at
least you can know the type of man a lady with Inter B.A.
Degree will marry.
It is always good for a man to be more educated
than his wife and never the wife to rule her husband.

Firstly I have to thank you very mucb for your noble

idea and I am wishing you good luck to marry a good vife.
I am,
Pauliua.
Chapter 2
An impressive love letter written by John Ukete to Edina.
St. Agnes Girl's Secondary Modern Sch.,
Abor Ukwu,
Zonal Enu.
4th Sept. 1964.
Dear Edina,
I am very happy to write you this letter. It is a pity
we have not been able to see just as we had arranged previously. This must have been due to any reason best
known to you. It appears you have forgotten your lover
who loves you beyond the realm of human understanding.
Why have you shown me this cold hand? Wave from
me that I am for you and you are for me. I will measure
your love for me by the way you remember in the form of
paying me visits. I have not much more to add than to
ask you to make a day to visit me so that we may have
sit down discussions.
I am,
yours faithfully.
Johnny.
Chapter 3
The immediate repy to Johnny's letter.
Akakata P. A..
Via Udeocha,
Asha,
4th October 1964.
Dear Johnny,
I am evidently in receipt of your impressive letter.
After persuing it thoroughly well, I came to know that you
really love me. I have now decided to show equal love to
you so that io reality, things might work out harmoniously.

Generally I judge you as a boy who is as true as his

profile and )our reactions have proved you so. Thank you
for your second invitation and 1 heartily promise that come
what may 1 must endeavour to come just as I have promised previously, the formidable force of circumstances
which made it very impossible for ire to honour my
promise must not crop up again.
Ohviously you are mine and I am y o m and it will be
wrong for you to credit me as ii person showing cold hand
to you. My love for you is wident and there is nothing to
becloud the reality of it. So do not judge me wrongly
next timc. Hoping to see you.
I wish you to remember me to your circle of friends.
I am,
y o w lover,
Eddy.
Chapter 4
My love letter to you lfeyi
Assumpta Grammar Sch.
Ifor Ala,
Kenuru,
Kuru,
4th September 1964.

Dear Ifeyi,
Just as the morning dew feeds flowers s o does your
presence feed my conscience. You are a mmning glory t o
me and 1very much cherish this fact. You will never cease
to be the food that feeds my amorous stomach. I know
you have the same feeling for me.
How d o you d o ? The day has comewhen you are to picture my heart and know what it has for you. You are
not an infant and Tam prompted to say that you have reached the age of reasoning ''Amor Omnia Vinct" so the
Romans say and Englishmen translate it thus "Love overcomes everything"

13

He that is not very appreciative of this fact is doing

himself more harm thats good for lift: would seen a perpetual toll if there were no love. For the mean time, I want
you to note that I am your lover.
Reply urgently.

'

Your lover,
Dandy.
Chapter

lfey replies Dandy's letter.

St. Michael's School,

Alaocha,
Ifedi P. A.
Via Uke.
Alu.
9th Sept. 1965.
Dear Dandy,
Thank you for your constructive letter and the thoughtful facts embeded in it. You may appreciate the fact that
my love for you is shown through actions. Actims speak
louder than words, so they say and I feel it is really the
best way of showing love.
Things are not really what they seem and I have it in
mind's core that love, when excessively express verbally,
will obviously lose its valour.
Don't mind my actions sometimes because I often
seem to b t indefferent to emotional love. Please you may
continue to flood my eyes with love letters, mind with
ioformation about the place where you live, and facts
symbolising your true love for me.
I seize this opportunity to congratulate you on your
tremendous success in G. C . E. Examination though you
never made any attempt to let me know of it.

Thanks,
yours lovely,
Ifehy.
Chaprer 6

Paddy writes

to Sabina.

Our High School,

Ife-Landah,
Yaru Kura.
Lagoon.
6th June 1963.

My dear Sabby,
This letter is a just expression of 'my sincere love in
you. I have really looked around and you are the only girl
who has captivated my interest and enthusiasm. I know
you will equally be interested in me just as I am to you.
You must have k n o w my person that very bright and
sunny day we met at the Rex Cinema. I did a bold act by
introducing myself to you and you so heartily appreciated
it that you attractiveiy introduced yourself to me. Now it
is opportune that 1 should wrlte you a letter to let you
know that your name and bloomlng looks still linger in
my humble heart.
I must let you know too, that your possitive effort to
reply me this letter will be immensely valued cherished.
So, do anrl send me your pictures as tokens of your love.
It is your dearest i n heart.
Paddy.
Chapter 7
Sabby replies Paddy's emotional letter.
Aloyh School of Commerce,
Looky 'Ia b a ~ ,
Kafanshan,
Kubu,
9th August 1963.
Dear Paddy.
I am duly in receipt your letter aod I very
much thank you for your regard and remembrance.
I had actually f o r g o t t e n your p e r s o n
15

but the very mention of Rex Cinen~~.has.called

the stature
of the person writing.in.to me.

Yeu see, I have been receiving series of letters about

love making but I naturally hate any news about a boy
and a girl being in love. I want to preserve my virginity
and I think it an unpardonable disgrace to my parents rf
if I should at any time tamper with it It does not nece.ssarily mean that I am going to be a Nun but the fact I
want you to swallow properly is that I am not ready to
soil my virginity unt I I am legitimately married.

Really your letter, like any other one has touch the
core of my heart but it isjust a ma1t:r of I can't help. I
don't want to be a friend of any boy or man before engagement because men and boys always try to see that a girl
satisfies their sexual urge betore they will agree to marriage
but infact, I am not ready for that for it would be downgrading of the prestige of my family.

If you had formed the wroug idea that I would yield

to any of this immorality, you know that you have reasoned it a wrong d'rection.

I beg to stop so far.

Thanks
yours faithfuly,
Sabby.
16

Chapter 8
Charlie writes a love letter to Lucy
St. Ignatius Secondary Modern Sch.,
Abaka-Uku,
Via Ala P. 0 ,
Kufu.
My dearly beloved Lucy,
It impresses me a lot to write 'you this letter. The
motwe behind the brtting of this letter is to let you know
that I have much interest in you and have a decided inclination to ask you to be my lover. You may say that
my attitude to you the other time did not seem or become
a person who would one day ask you to become his close
bosom friend.
Yes. this is true if you have formed that idea. Now I
would let you know that naturally I do not like to be'
friend grrls solely on accocn: of their beauty, for blanty
is only but a skin deep. I am befriending you just because I
have not s.en you parading our town with your boy
friends. Sincerely speaking, I must not at any time inake
any immoral attempt to destory your virginity. To be
candid, I only intend to come into closer contact with you
so that I may decide on marriage.
You will do me a lot of good by replying promptly.
Yours well wisher,
Charlie De Bright.

Lucy's comprehensive reply.

Umekanachi Clan School,
Uke,
Via A kwa P. A.
Olugbo.
4-9-64.

My dear Charlie,
You are really a h naturally as good as your looks.
Your love letter has just come under grip. I have read it
comprebensively.
You see. I would suggest that your letter should be
called genuine letter of engagement instead of the anaymous love letter. I really know that you are not like other
boys who only go about their dirty job of demoralising
on demoralisable girls. Thank your star for I have readily
consented to your request and there is the solid hope that
God vill mecifully bless our marriage.
Thanks.
Yours Lucy.
Chuprer 10

My heart yearns for your love Felly.

St. Ive's Secondary Grammar School
Yabuka P. A.,
Via Alaku,
Oshy.
Dear Felly,
Your ever sighting eyes have so much occupied my
heart that I am really in dire need of your presence.
When I say that I have every intention to see you, I do
mean that it will not pay me to be writing letters and iadulging in day dreaming.
Really you may not know that degree of my love for
you but I feel that it is qu4e useless for me to contiuue
to express it.
So you do and come so that possibly, we may sit
down comfnrtably ad discuss the matter you brought
forward in your previous letter.
Hearty thanks.
Yours lovelessing.

Chapter I I
Fdly replies .critically
Ife Grammar School,
Akwagu P. A.,
Ife Alor,
6-- 10-64.

Dear lovelessy,
Yes, I got your letter yesterday. I am very thankful
for it. Now I would remind you that you have erred by
claiming to [ w e . me beyond the bosom of this world. Is
it true that a boy should love a girl in such a way?.
Frankly speaking, you only want me to give myself
freely to you as if you were to be my husband. 1 emphatically say no and from this moment, I am not going to
reply any letter which is not genuinely written.
I thank you very much.
I am,
your lover to be
Felly.
Chopter 12
9 k e has my love letter" says Monica.
The letter.
St. Ives Grammar School,
Ikauku Venula House,
Ika.
Dear Ike,
It is greetings from the one you very much love but
could not express it verbally. I now make it evidently open
to you that whatever happens, I am ready to be your
lover and if possible to marry you.

Declare your own intenkon as soon as you gel

this letter. I want to let you know beforehand that our
love should not be virginally soiled.
Thanks.
It is,
Monica.

Chapter 13

Ike replies heartily

Ubulu-lke School of Commence,

Box 503,
Abor.
Dear Monica.

I heartily rcceived your meaningful and indeed candid

lettter. I intended writing you the same letter not knowing
that the same genuine sense of love making is in your
mind.
I know really that you are welLbrought up and so
our love should not be like that of some moral-never-do
wells in our society. I thank you for taking the first
plung,
:I am,
your heartiest lover,
Ikey.

HOW TO WRITE BEST ENGAGEMENT LETTERS

Question. What is ap engagement?

An engagement in this respect is a strong promise

made by a man and a woman who agree to become
husband and wife some time to come.

Answer:

Question: When writing an engagement letters or agreement

what rules must people observe?

Answer: It is always good and advisable to state condition
when writing For Example, if you slgn an agreement

with a wise and intellgent girl o r lady and by mistake

she became pregnated by another person and because
of the inc~dentyou refuse to marry her, the girl can
sus yoe to court of law to claim her right because
you did uot state cond~tionsin the engagement agreement which you signed. She can even say that you
are responsible for her pregnancy and you cannot
deny it.
In the other hand man can also sue his girl to court
if she happens to dis appoint him in such a way that
is not permissible the teams of their engagement
agreement. Girls do not be deceived by men who cannot fufil their promise.
AND
Men do not be disappointed by girls who cannot
keep to their letter,
Examples of how to write engagement letters
No. I Letter comes from Edwin Mark, a finalist io Kings College,
Onitsha to Esther Johnson, a class three student i n Queen's
College Port Hsrcourt.

Edwin.Mark,

Kings College,
P.O. Box 24,
Onitsha.
1--8-65.

Gentle Esther,
I have the pleasure to write you, how are you. As I
am a finalist this year and you are a class three student, I
want to engage you. So that we shall become hcsband
and wife immediately you finish up.
The general manager,of works is my uncle and he has
already got a plece whers I will start work next year.
D o not disappoint me since I determined to marry
you. I pray for your success, study hard while I do my
best. I beg to close hoping to get a favourable reply from
you.
I am,
yours,
Edwin Mark.
Chapter 15
A lteter of engagement written by Nwokesma to Patricia

St. AYO School,

Markurudi,
Balaka.
4-4-63.

Dear Patty,
It is just a considerable time now since we met list. I
had waited for your reply to my letter of last week but
to my surprise, you have kept cold silence. 'Why? Is it
because I did not make 'the whole matter quite open to
you or have you decided otherwise? I must not hide the
fact now because Iho people have an adage which states
that ''If you remove a bug from the partbody of a dog
and do not show it to the dog, the dog would wrongly
think that you removed its hair".

3a.4want ta.bting.itaticdy '.hsune-to.qou.t@atI

have 'a decided:.inclinationi~~marryyou. .Tell ?me.tlie-star.
you have chosen..The Northern star is a symbol of consent
but the Southern is a symbol of refusal.
I urgently want this but it does not follow that I a m
now sufficientlyready to pay the money dowry. I just want
to make the intention oven to YOU. Greet your circle of
trustworthy friends.
Thanks.
Your husband to be,
Nwokeoma.
Chapter 16
Patricia heartily replies Nwokeoma's letter of engagement

~~~~

All Boys Primary School,

Ajitu P. A..
Via Akaka,
Oshaka.
Dear darling,
Your purposeful letter has just come to .my grip and
owing to thc seriousness of its contents, I have resalved to
accord it crgent attention and cordial treatment. You
have done nobly well by making your intention to have
me as your dear wife lovely open to me. Before I say
anything, I must shower my sincere thanks to you for
your honesty of purpose which has enable you to conceive th.s genuine idea.
Really, I must say that I have legitimate interest in
you and your engagement letter is readily accepted, of
course, you are going to be true to your salt. I know you
are not playing me a gambling promise? Now that I have
given consent to your courtship and subsequent request
that I should be your wife, I want. you to double the
assurance that you really mean it by your consenting that
we should write an agreement to this effect.
Normally you kuow that we will have to exchange
rings as emblems of our wholehearted consent.

23

,Y~:syr..Northern.star.bar.bq~.
accept~dq&I.wmtyou
to:.cherish,.my 'own humble suggestion by acceptance.
I beg to remain,
Your ever darling.
Patty Uke.
Cliupter 17
Nwokeoma replies favourably to Patricia's request
St. Ayo School.
Makurudi,
Blaka
6--5-S3.

Dear Patty,
You are really as true as your profile. Your appearance always portrays you as a reasonable girl and you
have shown this fact beyond any shadow of doubt. I had
not the slightest doubt about your love for me and I
must not fail to thank you heartily for your proving yourself to be a properly domesticad animal of your family.
Yes here is a ring which I solemnly give to you as an
indication that I wish to marry you three years hence.
Your own is very much desirable and where you still
insist on our writing of agreement, I may suggest that we
should come together and put our heads together so that
oneness of feelings may be fostered.
Generally I judge you as a girl who could be trusted
with her promise.
Congrats to you.
I am,
your husband to-be,
Nwokeoma.
Chapter 18.
Patricia replies with a promise to visit Nwokema for personal
interview.

24

All Boys Primary SchooE,

Ajitu P. A.
Oshaka.
19-5-63.
Dear husband to be,
Thank you for your prompt reply of my letter. You
have actually done nobly excellent job by trying to find
a ring and then sending it to me, really. Infact I credit
you for this and must remark that you have proved your
verocity beyond any shadow of doubt. Now, in the presence and the name of God our Lord, who is everywhere
and sees all things, I offer you this ring and humbly bid
you to keep your promise. I have given my whole self
to you and you have got to do the same for love guiding
principle is give and take.
This is a double and genuine assurance that the love
of women is all. Remember me to your brothers who
will, other things being equal, call me their wife according to the fashion of our town. I now make a promise to
visit you in this mid4e of next month.

Chapter 19
lfeyinwa writes. a letter of engagement to her boy friend
master Erric.
St. Augustinas School,
Irereuku,
Western Nigiria.
4-9-63.
Dear Erric,
Why is it that i have not heard from you since a
month or so? I know you will try to escape my blame by
claiming that your long silence is due to thc pressure of
time. Really your work is not a small one and ycu are
always tired whenever you come back from school but
this is not reason why you should keep in suspence of
illformation about life in Onitsha which I know is
always cadden with terrifying news.
25

Well. Erric, you know fully well that it bas taken a

long time since we began or fr~endship After taken this
fact into a constructive consideration, I found that we
must either be one now. by being married or separate.
I am putting this to you having much consideration on
my age which is n:arins 21. This is a marriageable girl
and it is sheer folly for r e to continue to deceive myself
by indulging in friendship without being truly engaged.
Choose now or never for I am serious about it.
Till yos reply,, greetings to all
I am,
Your lovely,
Ife.
Chapter 20

A reply to lfeyinwa's engagement letter.

All Gills Baby Shop,

Iyalu Kadinah,
Panispi,
Kon-Ala.
11-10-65.
Dear Ifey,
Having read with keenest understanding and avid
interest your meaningfully worded letter. I now think it
opportune and indeed mannerly to reply it. Frankly
spsaking, I never knew that you had the same feeling I
have for you. for me. Thank you very much for this
for I must have to cherish your oneness of mine soon.

I will not not hesitate to you know that I have really

. compromised to engage you for the

same genuine thought

made been lingering in my mind but I was fearing that
you would not accept it at present. I will be yours
t ~ l the
l last great day when it may please our Creator to
call any of us to the realm of the past men, who of course may have enjoyed his kingdom according to their
individual stewardship on earth.
26

Normally. we will have to exchange rings a s a way of indicating our real and legitimate promise.
Chapter 21
P. P. Otuchkirikwu writes an engagement letter to Miss Rose.

224 Ogidi Road,

Onitsha,
33b Afubera Street,
Onitsha.
D~arestRose,
I believe you might have been expecting to get a
letter of this nature from me. As true as it is. I ~ o u l d
have written it before this time but 1 delayed in order to
iavestigate the situation of things because all that glitters
is not gold.
Marriage is something done once in life therefore it
must never need hesitation of any kind. Now I haw:
vetrtureif to beg for your hand. Before you reply I should
like you to think over it for two weeks so that whatever
you give me as your answer will be irrevocable.
May God grant my request.
Yours preciously,
P. P. Otuchisirikwu.
Chapfer 12

Rose N. Chukwuemeka replies P.P. Otuchisirikwu's letter.

33b Afubera Street,
Onitsha.

224 Ogidi Road,

Onitsha.
Sir,
I can but inadequately express my gratitude in getting your dated about engagement.

I will not hesibte in giving you affirmative reply

for I decided even. in anticipation. ,The magnitude of
your love in me is equally resprocated therefore nothing
will prevent your proposal (except death) from materiallsing. The earlier you approach my parentsfor it the happier
I become. I ha. e re-erved niyself spiritually and kcd~ly
for you.
May God give urgent approval to o w proposal.
1 am,
Sir,
Your honest intended wife,
Rose N. Chukwuemeka.
Chapter 23

No. 5 Ikoba Road,

Benin City.
No. G ~ i h l t oRoad,
Benin City.
Dear Anti,
1 can no longer cndure to tell you the opinion I have
of you. I since decided toengage you but I found it difficult to contact you directly. 1 idomatically ment~oned
of it to you during our last social gathermg but I found
out that yo9 did not understand me. Therefore I put it
in writing and hope to get your rep!y as early as' possible
You know very well how girls chase me yet I decided.
to adhere to you.
Wishing you God's blessing.
Yonrs truly,
J. P. O~obo.
Chapter 24.
Anti repties J. P. Otobo's Letter

28

No. 5 Ikoba Road,

Benin city.

No. 6 Riluko Road.

Benin city.

Sir,
Your letter ocengagernent reached me recently. I thank
you very much.
Indeed I have adequate love in you and I wish to
grant your request but I entertain fear for one reason.
Many boys have made it their occupation to disappoint
girls. I have a friend named veronica. She was engaged
to a young man who used her as an instrummt of his happiness w t eventually he disappointed her Many grls
have been put in a family wav in pretence of marriage
which did never materialise. Therefore my consent is
subject to your honesty.
I am.
yours honest intended.
A. U. Odiboli.
Chapter 25
Iyienu Hospital:
Via Onitsha.

3a Sokoto Road,
Umuchu Okabia,
Orlu.
Dearest in heart,
Our first meeting was held in the year 1960 but my
love of you glitters still. I know very well that you love
me too but my position seizes your tongue. Therefore let
me tell you what you should first say instead.
I will be very happy if you take me to the
altar. I know you like to marry me but you
think a common man cannot marry a nurse of my rank.

please d o not mind your financial madness for I am ready to submit my purse to your control. Many lawyers arid
doctors have asked my hand but I definitely refused.
I want to live with a man from financially depressed
family so that I will struggle and contribute my own
quota.in the building of the family. Any family that is
built by the combined efforts of husband and wife, is
usually more durable and happier than that built or constructed alone by a man.
I promise to be o r remain a faithful wife to yor: till I
have t h e bosom of this world, Meet me at your convenient time so that I will tell you how and when you will
approach my parents. I enclose here with 50 (fifty pounds)
in checque for your maintainance and a copy of my
most recent photograph.
Wishing you God's blessiogs.
Yours faithfully,
Nware B. Onyechinyelu.
Chapter 26
Ben's reply.

3a Sokoto Road,
.Umuchu Okabia,
Orlu P. 0.

Iyienu Hospital,
Via Onitsha,
E. Nigeria.
My dear Nware,
Your unexpected letter is a sea breeze to my heart.
Happiness has swallowed.my heart and enervated my body
that I cannot adequately write. I will come to you next
Saturday as you requested. Please I feel more than I
can write; till we meet face to face.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Onyeodanyere.

C. C. Nwakrihe writes engaeement letter to Eliza.

No. SOc St. John's Street,

Onitsha.
No. 2 Enugu Road,
Onitsha.
Dear Eliza,
Itlo not think of marriage in five years time but the
ardent love 1 have on you is pow forcing me to marry prematurely Tell me plainly v*hetheryou are equally interested in me so that we shall immediately take conjugal step.
I am convinced that you will be a good house wife.
Yours sincerely,
C. C. Nwakaihe.
Chapter 28

The reply.
No. 2 Enugu Road,
Onitsha.
No. 50c St. John's Street.
Onitsha.
Sir,
I thank you very much for your recent letter to me. I
allowed my parents to read the letter and comment on the
contents. Their discussion is quite contrary to my expectation. Indeed the members of my famiiy strongly opposed
my marriage with you.
But one thing you must know is that we must marry
each other irrespective of parental opposition. It is my
right to marry any man I love and it is not the right of
the parents to marry for me a man of their own interest.
Those whn marry under
parental influence
usually make wrong choice; but when a girl marries
the man she chooses by herself marriage is enjoyed.

31

Therefore I must marry you whether you are poor or rich.

I advise you to approach for formal~tysake;if they refuse
then I follov you and we can in the Government channel
if not under church formality.
May God bind us to one family.
Yours lovely,
Eliza E. Chikwe.
Chapter 29.

A charming love letter by James Ude.

No. 8 Oguta Road,

Onitsha.
Dear lovely Joe,
I have not heard from you since quite a long time
now. How do you do? Hoping nothing has gone amiss?
Yes it is Jammy and I know you will not but be
interested to get this. I now decide to write you.
I am holidaying at home so that you can make time
to come and see me.
Hoping to see you while wishing you the best of the
seasons.
Yours I~veiy,
Jammy.

The happy reply.

No. 18 U~nuahiaRoad,
Alanimili Ugwu,
Umuahia.

Dear Jammy,
Thank you for your remembrance and sincere devotion to me. I obviously know that you dearly love me
and wish me to be your own for ever. This means that we
shall soon marry? If you disagree to this suggestion

yau b cott every love for me for I . am not...ready t~..~Faal

mysel any longer,
..
Yours faithfully,
Joe.
Chapter 3 1.
Helen writes a letter of engagement to Richard
Akagbe Grammar School,
Ikey Village P. A.,
Abala.
Deat Rich,
How do you d o ? Yes I feel it is incumbent on me to
%rite you this letter just to bring my intention about our
love home to you.
Firstly, I wnuld like you to know that we have
fooled ourselves quite enough and it will reach the top of
our bent if we continue to wallow in unnecessary love
affairs.
Secondly I want you to send me a ring which will
show me that you really mean to marry me in the near
future. 1 am up to a marriageable age and must marry
now or never.
Thanks,
Yours in heart.
Helen.
Chapter 32

Reply to Helen's letter

64 Pound Road,
Aba E. Nigeria.
"

Dear Helen,
Your well worded letter of engagement has reached
me. Thank you for not being morally too low just as
some other girls who wocld rather choose to die in the
sea of love making than marry.
your offer
I will not hesitate to accept
the ring next week.
and 1 will send you
Besides, we shall marry on the Altar in December

this;.year..:P.Fay fewently. for ihis.

Greetings,
Your best luck,
Rich.

Chapter 33
Polly writes an impressive letter of engagement.
All Saints Grammar School,
Abab,
Yabu.
Dear Fellyd.
I have just received your letter and I very much
cherish the ideas in the letter. Thank you very much.
Well, I would like you to tell me how best to meet
your parents on the event of my engaging you
I need this very urgently, of course on condition
that you accept me as your husband.
~
Extend my sincere regards to y o parents.
Your darling,
Polly.
Chapter 34
Reply

Dear Polly,
Congrats. You have said what I have been expecting
to hear from you. Really you have done a lot to elevate
our moral standard because by being married we shall
become good citizens.
For your directory, you have got to approach my
mum
and show her this my letter which will
assure her that I have accepted to be your

wife. This is the end because my mum -does not refuse

what I have accepted.
Greetings from me while I still say bravo for your
houourable more.
I am,
your wife to be,
Feliyd.

THE RICH MAN'S DAUGHTER

A PLAY
BY
'RAJA RAPHAEL
(drtihor, Journalisr, Dramatist di Novelist)

CHARACTFRS
John Bull - a rich, man
Elizabrth - his uife
their d a u g ~ t e r
Magi
Joseph
the father of Keni
the mother
Mary
their son whom Magi the daughter of John
Keni
Bull the rich man \rant to marry.
CHIEF BEN - The man whom Magi refused to marry
his son Bonny.
KATTY
Maei's girl friend
Keni's boy friend
FELl
IKEM '
Servant to John Bull.
(the story.and the character's of the play are imaginary and therefore should not be associated with any
person or place)

PREFACE

This story intends to show the big gap between the

rich and the poor, and the extent this could go to hamper the social relations of both classes, over in case of
love.

John Bull was a rich man and wanted his daughter MAGI to have a rich man's son as her husband.
But Magi was determined to marry the man she love
so much, not rnindi~igthe state of poverfy o r his
family.
Keni was the man kkigi loved with her whole
heart. And Bonny was the son of Chief Ben whom
her father wanted to marry Magi, but she couldn't
give in.
Her father threatened, bur she did not bother.
And at last she won This is a story you will never
forget.
Raja Rapheal.
SCEEE ONE
John Bull comes out from his private room and asks IKEM
about the wltereabout of MAGl.her daughter.

John Bull: Where is Magi? I K E M I no see her. She

no dey in, Sir.
John Bull. Where's she been?
Ikem:
I no knob,' Sir.
John Bull: But she went out to some place -I think?
Ikem: Ycs Sir.
john Bull: Has it been long she went out?
Ikem: Yes Sir, ius' abouttwo hours now, Sir.
John Bull: Did shk tell you where is going?
Ikem: No. She 110 dey talk to me since two week
now, Sir. Every time I pass where she standin
she begin look me bad eye. I nu know why.
I no k ~ o wwhether na because I say last time
say me follow one man wey de come here
before.
John Rull: That's-Keni ynu 'mean?
Ikem: ' Yes Sir. Since I tell you say she rle follow
him, and you askam, she no de gtee me
talk to her again.
John Bull: I see, she said she is love with him.
Ah wonder, Sir! She wan leave that rich man
Ikem:
son to love another person wey no go fit
make good husband to her.
John Bull: Don't mind her, she dosen't like good
things. She wants to suffer and I'm going to
teach her a lesson. May be she.has gone out
to see him.

36

T no J e see him since-ah mean Keni. The

man she say be her lover, Sir.
John Bull: I have warned him never to come here anv
more.
Ikem:
No wonder! 1 see. Na that de make him
no come as he de do before!
John Bull: Yes. Ikem, go and buy me one bottle of
stilut beer. Cool one, you hear? (He ~ i v e s
him money for the beer and Ikem turns to
go out) G o quick, quick! Before three minutes I have seen you!
Yes, Sir!
Jkem:
Ikem:

(Exit Ikem Alone)

~ o h nBull: I don't know what is wrong with this girl.

I don't know why Magican't hear me and
obey me. lifter all I'm doing so for her
happiness. But she says that she wants' to
suffer in life. No! I won't let her suffer the
bitterness of poverty. I'm rich and my daughter should marry and live in a rich family
as well. Oh this-!
(ENTER M A G I )
John Bull: Where have you been Magi?
Magi:
No where, Papa.
John Bull: You're a liar! Tell me where you have been
since a long time now.
I have not been out so long, Papa.
Magi:
John Bcll: Tell me the truth now or I'll handle you
badly now. Will you?
Magi:
I have not been far, Papa.
John Bull: Where were you then? D o you want t o
tell me that you have not been out to Reni's?
Speak out! Can you deny it?
I have not been to his, Papa.
Magi:
John Bull: Shut uu! Don't anger me the more. Pitv
yourself; Magi have-a pity on yourself. *
Magi,
Why this, Papa?
John Bull, You don't know? You can't deceive me.
I know what's right for you, but you won't
listen to me. You want t o d o yorlr will,
and you are going t o suffer for it.

But I have not been to that place, Papa. Who

Magi:
told you that I'went to him?
John Bull: ;Did you go there?
Magi:
No, Papa.
John Bull. Sbut up! Don't provoke mv anger with your
lies! Oh, where's Ikem -where's him 7
Magi,
I'm not telling you lie, Papa.
John Bull, Stop! and get out from here, quick! You want
to become useless. Don't tell me anything- again.
'Magi,
Oh, PapaJohn Bull. I say get out! You liar! You think' that you're
cheating me.
(EXIT MAGI)
You don't wnnt t o 'hear your father's words! You
want to d o your will. We shall see who rules here.
(scratching his beard uneasily) Oh, Ikem won't come
back with the wine in time This girl this foolish
girl makes me grow annoyed.
'

CURTAIN FALLS.
SCENE TWO.
Ma,i, alone s6bbing. Enter Ikem and asks why.

Wentin de d o you, mag^? ( N o reply) Oh, you

Ikem,
n o hear wentin I d e talk? Please forgive me, I no
know say we no de talk t o each other. (and he tries
to walk -out)
Magi.
Wait. Ikem. (She dries the tears with handker".
chief) I say come here, Ikem.
(Walks back reb~ctantly) Yts, wetin you de call
Ikem,
me?
Don't hurry, wait for a moment. I want t o ask
Magi,
you something.
You don forget say me and you no de talk t o
Ikem,
each other since? 1 beg, leave me I de go d o one
important thing.
Is that thing more important than .what I want
Magi,
- t o ask you?
I no know wetin you de talk, please leave me.
Iker\l,

Magi: +.. I. don3 hsld you,: .you:.ka~~.

:Bawhat\.J.;wagt.
to know from you. now is the persqn who .told...Papa
that I went to Keni's house..
Please I don't know weting you.-de talk, miss.
Ikem:
You wan start- the Keni's talk again?
Magi:
Yes, weren't you the one who started it?
How I starting it? You don begin again, Magi.
Ikem:
1 no wan trouble now. Please make you go an' find
another person, no be me. I oo de--o!
Please, Ikem, I warn you now. As from today,
Magi:
stop flying into my private affairs.
I no know wetin you de talk sef. Na English
Ikem:
vou cle talk to me?. You know say I no de hear English.
Mind only yourown business in this house, ~ k e m
Ma&:
You're a servant here and have no right to interfere
into the affairs of the family. I have suffered so many
inconvinences because of you.
Ah, you wan tell me say your father get money?
Ikem:
No be' only him be de rich man aey dey for this
world.
And will you leave this place m d go to that
Magi:
another place?
I no go go! I no go leave here. No be you
Ikem:
take me for work here.
0.K; we shall see what is going to happen.
Magi:
You no go fit do anything.
lkem:

(ENTER MANA)
Elizebeth: What's raging on here again? Oh you won't
give a 'little rest in this house.
Ask him-ask that idiot. A liar! He's an eaveMagi:
sdropper of the worst type, Mama.
Ikem:
Look! madam, she don start to curse me now.
Please no curse me again, Magi. I no de hear wettin
you de talk. I no de hear English, please.
Don't you know where English is being learnt?
Magi:
I no know, ,please.
Ikem:
Why? you must know.
. .
Magi:

Elizebetb Please stop it sa far, 1 don't want. ta heac.a~y

one of you again.

But you must tell him to keep off my domestic
Magi:
affairs, Mama.
Elizebeth: What is it again?
Magi.
He told Papa that I went out t o Kenl's, but I
didn't go there.
Elizebeth: To Keni's house?
Ikem:
I no tell master anything madam.
Magi:
But Papa asked me about it when I returned.
Ikem:
You know where you go no be me.
repeat that again
and 1'11 show you what
Magi:
What!
.
I can do.
Jkem:
Impossible! You no go fit do me anything. ,
Magi:
You'll see now, (she moves towards him with
fury) Today will be the end of everything.
Elizebeth, (Holding her back) Don't d o that, Magi. You
go to the kitchen, Ikem.
Ikem:
Make you leave her, make she come fight me.
N o hold her back.
Magi:
(Struggling to free herself from the grips of her
mother) Please leave me, Mama, I want to see the
end to the whole insults Ikem has been pouring on
me since he came to this house.
Elizebeth: Don't be silly, Magi. (turning to Ikem) Please
get out from here I say! Ikem. Can't you understand
when somebody is serious and determined about
something? J wonder!
Ikem:
Na because of you I de g o out now, madam.
(Exif Ikem)
Why did you let him go? You know I wanted
Magi:
to tear him into pieces. He has done me a lot of
damage.
Elizebeth: Cool your temper, Magi. One thing I want
t o tell you now is that you must beware of Ikem.
Your father is with him, that's why he doesn't respect
anybody in this house than him.
Magi:
Why? Why should Papa trust Ikem like that?
Is he not an ordinary servant in this house.
Elizebeth: Yes, but he's more than a servant in this

house now. You must know that your father has

advisechim to keep an eye on your movements these
days.
Why? Well, that's' a small 'case: ~ ehim
t d o anyMagi:
thing he likes, 1 will never marry Bonny in my life.
I'll only marry the one I love that's Keni.
Elizabeth: So you have not changed your mind. Magi?
You'll consider whar your father told you.
I have heard everything. If I marry Keni, he
Magi:
would not help me in any way, wasn't it what he said?
Elizabeth: It was so.
Magi:
Well, all this bscausz Keni is not from a rich
family?
Elizabeth: Yes.
Magi:
Well, 1 can tell yoc again that I'm going to be
his wife, whether rich or poor.
Elizabeth: Why? Won't you listen to your father? Can't
you respect hini?
Magi:
It is because E love .Keni. Mama.
t!lizabeth: Please come back to your senses, Magi. Don't
d o a thing you'll afterwards regret about it.
Magi,
Oh! don't make me weak, Mama. I have not
expected to hear these words from you. Please look
.
at the matter from my point of view. I love Keni
and he loves me as well. We're going to be happy
conple whether poor o r rich. And talking about being rich, how many times have you told me that my
father wasn't a rich man before he married you? Will
you deny now of having talked so'!
Elizabeth:
No. You're right, Magi.
Magi:
And why do you support in this wicked discrimination against love?
Elizabeth: I'm not against your choice, Magi. But it' you
are in my position, you can see wbat I mean. It's
true that I'm your mother, but your father has every
right t o make any change about the sort of man
you sould marry.

E'a;giee with.yair;-but .in this'case, hi's iusisimcy

that I shouU not marry Keni because he's not from
a rich fam~lyis wrong. His characters and general
behaviour can't be questioned in any way, therefore
I see no reason in rejecting him because he's not
from a rich family.
Elizab-th: Well, but -Wait Mama, let me finish fir-t. Yes, I know that
Magi:
he's not from a rich family, but 1'11 be happy to
work struggle together with such a husband in love
for ovr existellce than to be ill at ease in a readymade fortune.
Elizabeth: Oh! it's enough, Magi. You have already turned a philosopher with a short period of your new
acquircd knowledge of life.
Yes, love derives its strength from the suppreMagi:
ssion of its true meaning and the oppression of its
will and desire.
Elizabeth: Oh! still the philosopher? Stop so far, my
daughter. I don't want to be associated with the name
as an oppressor'and suppresspr of love; how much
more to that .of my daughter. What I'll tell you now
is to mind how you talk about him whenever ikem
is around. But you must keep patieoce, t h i n p will
sort out themselves.
0.K; but whatever may happen, I must marry
Magi:
Keni. He's the only one I love.
Elizabeth: Oh! still talking about him? It's 0.k; my daughter.
CURTAIN FALLS.

Magi:

SCENE THREE.
The scene shifis. I n the hcuse of Joseph.

ENTER

Joseph: Mary his wife end Keni their son. All of them
are in a mood of long and heated argument
Keni:
I don't take all the things you're talking as any
thing. Keep away from me and my sorrows.

Joseph: Ah! ah, look your son, woman. I'no know whether someth~rlg'do ctnter his head.
Mary:
Is he not your son again?
Joseph: I mean na we two get him. I know say you no
go be annoy again. Make you talk to him.
Uary:
Well, Keni-Keni, my son, .no be you I de call
answer me!
Joseph: He no bz your son alone. Na we two get him.
Mary:
Make you do disturb me! Alanwe. Make you
answer me, Keni-no be you I de call?
Keni:
What's it?
Mary:
Why you de grow annoy with me? Name make
your father no be r c h man?
Joseph: Ah! ah, make you no tell him like that. You
know say na you .be his mother, and me be his father.
We two be his parent and we two be poor. no be
only me.
What are you talking so, Papa?.Can't you talk
Keni:
sensibly as a man?
Joseph: Look-o! he wan eat me because I talk de thing
wey come to my head.
Make you no mind him, Keni. He no de know
Mary:
wetin he de talkin whe he don drink plenty wine.
Keni:
Oh! I see.
Joseph: Make you no mind her my son, I no drink any
wine. O2ly ah no know wetin de push my head like
say I drinkin wine.
Listen to me Keni. Why you say you go marry
Mary:
her7
----.

Because I love her and want to have her as my

Keni:
wife. I need her company so much. Magi can make
a good wife. She doesn't do like the daughtei of a
rich man.
Mary: Wetin you tell me last time say her father tell you?
Keni: Don't mind about that, what I know is that Magi
is ready to marry me a t any time from now. But one
blessing.
thing remains now-I w a n t your
Mary:
Please my so, make you no bring trouble to
to we here because of this girl. Me and your father

hear no go fit face Ozuru, de father of Magi. As he

no gree say yoii go mariy his daughter, make you
come out from it. Many many girls dey for town.
Make you find anot!~er onc from dem. We no be rich
people. VCe no wan elter for rich nian talk.
That's not uhat I want to hear from ycu. It
Keni:
is nor the question of being rich, but the question of
love and marriage. Two of L S love each other and
we have dccided to get married. That's all.
(EXIT K E W )
Mary:
Keni! Keni! come back.
Joseph: I tell you say the boy wan do his mind. He no
go gree anything you tell him now.
Mary:
You wan make we leave him alone?
Joseph: Yes, na that kind thing he waxt. He no de listen
to anybody. We be fool for him face. He no go fall
where somebody go carry him back. He wan marry
the daughter of a rich man. f-le no go marry mother
pirl? Xe wan big big thing. But he know say he no
rich that big-thing. I drink any wine-o! Make you
no talk say I drinkin wine. Only something de push
me for head like wine-o! (And he falls back from
the chair he's sitting on)
CURTAIN FALLS
SCENE F U R

Kerii And Feli.

This is a world where money and material posseFeli:
ssions governs.
Yes, you're right. But in this case, it's not true
Keni:
She's with me head-over heels! But the only snag
about it is her father.
Feli:
That's why I say that money and material possession count s o much in every affair in this modern
times. But this is not to discourage you, you see.
Infact, I share the same thing with you in this matter.
However, d o you think that he'll let her daughter
so loosely as that t o marry the son of a poor family?
You know these rich men look down on the unfortunate ones as urorthless people.
44

Keni:
You're thinkillg very childshly. Feli. Though,
I understand whit you mean, but in the face of love
everybody is the same. There is inferiority in love.
Feli:
You may be right, bct .................
Keni:
I te11'~outhat Magi is not like that. She doesn't
' do like the daughter of a rich man as some use to do.
She's very humble, and a very nice $1 too. It is only
her father that tries to instil such htgh feelings into
her mind in order to reject and forget all about me,
but she could not give in. With the help of thc AImighty we shall overcome the obstacle that her father
presented on our road of love. As for her mother, she
presents no great difficulty. When we have succeeded
in convincing the father, every other things will be
easy.
Feli:
You Ozuru is a very rich and proud somebody
But, however, I wish you every saccess.
Keni: That's what 1 want to hear from you. This my first
battle in liie for happiness and I'll never live to lose
it. Wait somebody is coming here.
(ENTER KATTY)
Oh! she looks very beautifulFeli:
Keni:
Keep silent, don't disgrace yourself now.
(Looking around) If I'm not mktaken, this is
Ketty:
Joseph's house, gentlemen?
You're right, fair lady, this is Joseph's house.
Feli:
And yog're his son, I think? Whose name is
Katty:
Keni, I hope?
Yes, his n a m you msntioned, but I'm n o t he.
Feli:
Look him (and he points at Keni) Friend she wants
to see you; why are you so cold?
keni:
Don't worry please.
Oh! Why? Have I done an) wrong against you
Feli:
by saying that this gentle lady wants to talk to you?
Keni:
Please, J say don't you worry me, Feli, you
hear? Leave me alone to myself.

Katty: . .(Smili.ng,. 'Sorry; % h e ~ ~ o m c o nlep7vse is being

oppressed he finds no other comfort than in complete
solitude where he could visualies the mental picture
of the object of his love,
(Moving towards her with a little smile on his
Keni:
,lips) Young chap, who taught you how to read what
is a man's beart'!
Katty: Don't be suprised for I'm a vessenger of peace
between you and another person altogether. I have
a message of love from your lover.
A message of love for me from my lover?
Keni:
Katty: Yes. Let's go aside and I'll tell you the whole thing.
Keni:
Is it so private?
Katty,
Private and confidential!
Keni:
0.K: wait. (turning to Feli) Friend, please give
us some minutes,
You're at liberty to kiss her feet!
Feli:
(EXIT FELI)
(laughing lowly) He's a funny somebody. Is he
Katty:
your friend ?
Keni:
Yes, His name is Feli.
Katty:
Thank you. Well, can you recognise me now?
Keni:
Not quite well for that matter. What's i t ?
But have you seen me with somebody before?
Katty:
Just a girl for that matter.
Oh! yes I can remember now. I have seen you
Keni:
once with Magi during a social dance at a certain
place, only could not remember when. But I did take
a close look of your person.
Katty:
Well, don't worry yourself. Magi and I are
just good friends to each other: We hide nothing
from one another.
Is that so?
Keni:
Katty: Yes. She sent me to come and call yuu. She's
in my house just now. So don't waste time.
Keni:
Why?
Katty: She says she has one urgent message for you,
but she could not come to your house straight.
'

You can go now, I'm coming behind you.

Please, don't waste much time. She's in a hurry
know.
0 K: tell her I'm coming behind.
You have known the p m e ?
Yes, ~ t ' snot conlusing aly-way.
0.K; you may call :i your friend.
(ENTER FELI)
Feli:
Oh! I'm very sorry! (trying to go out) I hope
I have not disturhed you?
Katty:
Come back Feli, you have not (looking at Keni)
He's quite a very funny creature, don't you think?
Keni,
More especially when he sees a beautiful girl
like you.
Katty:
Ah! two of you are the same. Thank you very
much. Come quick, she's waiting you. (turning t o
Feli) We hope to meet another time, OK. replied Feli.
(EXIT KATTY)
Feli:
Oho-o-o! you hare told her whom I am already,
No wonder why she know my name. Please Keni tell
me her name, or won't you?
Keni:
Why? her name is Kathy! And she's after you
to the last.
Feli:
You mean it?
Keni:
The whole thing depends upon yon! Cast your
net and you're going to make a big and nice catch.
Feli:
Well, that apart, what's the purpose
of peeping
in at this hour.
For a messwe "private and confidential"! That's
Keni.
how she called 3. she was sent by my sweet Magi
to come and look for me. Man, I told you something
is going to happen! She can't pass a day without
seeing or hearing f-,om me.
Feli,
What makes her sweet? She tastes like sugar
- or
salt?
Keni,
This is not the time for jokes. ~ 6 your
e
better
another day.
Feli,
O.K. Until that day, so that I can get a packet
of sugar for niy own use.
Keni:
Katty:
you
Keni:
Katty:
Keni.
Katty:

And give anofher packet of sugar to her-so that

Keni:
two of you can taste sweet to each' other.
You're right, but this is not the time'for jokes.
Feli:
Hurry home to her and 11' 1 'hurry back to get
ready for the catch!
Keni:
Still the joker?
CURTAIN FALLS
SCENE FIVE
In Karl-v's Room
Katty And Magi.

Are you sure he said that he would come?

Magi:
F e said so and I'm sure of that.
Katty:
But why hans't he come by now? A short time
Magi:
now and it will get dark.
Katty: If my cars did not fail me, he said that he would
be coming behfnd. He may be coming now.
mag^: Are you sure he can locate ihe sight of this house?
He said he knows it quite well and should not
Katty:
miss the way.
~ a g i : Well. 1'11 wait for sorre more minutes and if he
fails to tuin up, I go back.
The only thing I know that will delay him a
Katty:
little is that young man I said that was with him.
Feli, you called his name?
Magi.
Katty: Yes, he's quite a funny gnd charming young man!
Magi.
Yes, he's. That's how it use to be at the first
-.
sight.
Katty:
Not so with this one, Magi. Since we have
come to intimatz 'each dtber with our private matters
have you heard me praise . any young man in this
manner other than this Feli?
No.. you're right. Then I can say you have some
Magi:
special liking for him?
Oh! I don't know how I can describe my feelings
Katty:
now about him.
You must try to, Kathy, that's bow it starts.
Magi,

- -

Katty:. ;What's *&at, :.;Mag??

Magi:
Well, I hope you're no longer. a chjld?. ...
Katty: I'm not. And I hope you, don't thmk that I'm
still a child?
Magi:
I haven't such an idea in mind, that's why I
put that question to you.
Katty: Yes, 1 understand you, but d o you kzow what
will be his opinion about me? Some young men may
appear very charming outside, but inside their heart,
they are as black as coal about love.
Magi:
Oh! deai Katty. I'm sorry that I'm unable to
give you a better advice about that now, but however
things may turn good in future.
Katty: Yes, l understand you quite well. But why has
he not come by now? He assured me his being here
after some minutes I have been back.
Magi:
That's one thing wrong with men. When you
are after them, they will start to dodge you., I tell
men know how to keep women in great expectations
when in love--"..--(ENTER KENZ)
Oh dear me! have you been eavesdropping on us, Keni?
(perspiring) Not, no: I, my dear Magi, I'm just
Keni:
coming here now. You know you sent a message t o
me, but by then I was with a friend Katty saw him
I think.
Katty: Yes, Feli, not so?
Keni:
He is. So before I could finish with him and
get the chance t o come here, it took quite a long time.
I hope I have not delayed
you
so much, my Magie.
.
any news?
Mogi:
Your bright presence have dried away, the dews
your delay dropped into my heart.
Oh! my Magi, cheer up! The slave of your heart
Keni:
is here now to look after you.
Magi:
Oh, enough of that, my love-control your heart!
We have but a short time here. This is why I have
sent for you. (She gives him a small sized purse)
Keep that with you, and don't let it get out of your
hold.

What'.$ is it my lov&$:-E$.4tmade of-m&to kuow?of it$ .contents?

Magi:
.Yes, you're privileged to do so. However, its'
contents is nothing but money. It is hundred pocnds
on the whole. Don't let any other person into this
secret. It is only three of us here who share ' this
knowledge.
Keni:
Why this surprise change in your manner, Magi?
You know I didn't ask vou about monev. What I
want is your love and cohpany, nothmg again outside it.
Magi:
You're right my love. But I have not changed
my manners-don't say so. Keep that money with you
until1 the time I shall come to demand it back from
you. That's the whole purpose of my sending for you
now. You can g- now, don't waste any time, my dear.
Keni :
Dear, won't you..-.....--....
M a ~ i : No time for that now. until we see again.
Keni:
0.K: until then. (he walks to the door and turns
back) Oh! lest I forget, Katty, Feli sent his sincere
greetings to you through me.
Katty:
Thank you so m x h , send him mine as well!
0 K; goodbye!
Keni:
(EXIT KENI)
Katty:
Oh, men are woaderfrll!
Magi:
Yes, especially in love.
CURTAIN FALLS.

Ken/:

SCENE SIX.
In John Bull's House.
John Bull: We shall know who is the ruler of this compound, I wish Chief Ben and his son are.around now.
However, they may be on their way coming I: think.
(ENTER IKEM)
D o you see her? asked John Bull
Ikem: I no see her, Sir, I no fit tell how she J e go now.

John Bull: Don't mind her, ,I'll get her round very soon.
Chief Ben and his son will be here in a very short
time.
She no de stay in the house in de evening. Small
Ikem:
time she go come in, small time she go go out again.
Sometime she go hold somethings for hand, sometime
she no holding anything.
John Bull: O.K! thank you very much. Keep eye on her
and her mother, you hear?
Ikem:
Yes. Sir Masa.
John Bull: You can go out now.
Ikem:
Thank Sir.
(ENTER ELIZABETH)
Elizabeth: Stop and stand where you're, Ikem! I'm only
very sorry for you, John Bull. It is not good of you
to spy on your daughter and wife.
John Bull: Don't disturb me now! G o out from here!
prepared
for Chief Ben and his
and tell her to get
. .
son's coming.
Elizabeth: I'm not going to tell her! Do whatever you
like with her. she's vour daughter! Is it because she
n ~ Gade you to keep a spy
refuses to marry ~ o n that
on me and her? Threatening her like that wor't bring
any good result, you know. if she says that she won't
marry Bonny, you better leave her alone. You have
done your duty as a father, nobody is going to blame
you for it. If she wants to suffer as she has chosen,
instead of living on the fortune of a rich famiy, let
her alone.
Johh Rull: That can never be done in this house! She
must do my wish or face trouble.
Elizabeth: Kill her then if you wish!
John Bull: So you're supporting her in her decision?
Elizabeth: I support none of you.
(ENTER MAGI)
Johc Bull: Where have you been, Magi?
Magi:
Perhaps,
your
son Ikem have told you that I
.
.
went out?
Elizabeth: Yes, Ikem is no longer a servant in this
house, but as his son!

John Bull: .Just tell me where you. .have been!

Magi. : I have been no where dther than this house!
Please, make nobody call my name now
Ikem:
Your name must be mentioned, Ikem! A liar,
Magi:
an eavesdropper! You're no longer a servant in this
house, but as a son, according to the wish of your
master, because I did not agree to marry the son of
a rich man and a chief for that matter.
John Rull, Stop that. Magi! Will you get prepared
for the coming of Chief Ben and his son?
Papa, if it's still your wish to hear me address
'Magi:
you so. To be sincere, I'm ready now to die, instead
of marrying this son of a rich man!
John Bull: Shut up! Do you want to marry the son of a
. poor man? '
I'm married to him already, if you don't know!
Magi:
Elizabeth: What are you talking, Magi? Do you know
that you're addressing your Papa?
John Bull: Leave her, she'sjnst cracking a big joke.
Magi: Yes, may be a big joke to you now. And likewise, it's
going to be a big surprised to see the first fruit of my
marriage in a near future. Yes, I'm determined to
marry a poor man. And it makes no difference. Poor
people are human beings as well as the rich people.
Even the poor knows more about love than the rich.
And what more 11 It is love that I want and I have
found it. You can reject me and deny me as not being your daughter now, I'm satisfied!
(EXIT M4GZ CRYING)
John Bull: What's all this about? Is she mnning crazy?
Elizabeth: I don't know. I have told yod often and agaJohnin to leave her alone, but you won't listen to me.
Eliza Bull: That's a minor thing. She must marry Bonny.
beth: I'm not holding you back from doing what is
your will about her.

(8XlT MAMA)
John Bull: Keep on watching their movements, Ikem.
They want to deceive me wiih tricks. T h ~ is
s a plan
they have made in order to' prevent Magi's marriage
with Bonny. Keepeyc on them, you hear?
Ikem:
Yes, Sir.
John Bull: Don't mind whatever they may talk about
you, or any name they may calf you.Ikem:
Yes, Sir. I no de mind. the things they telling
me, I no heardem. I no de hear big big grammatika.
Ozuru;
You're a funny somebody, Ikem.
CURTAIN FALLS.
SCENE SEVEN
Ikem welcomes Chief Ben and his son, Bonny.
Welcome, sir. Make una sit down for chairs.
Ikem:
My master de come.
Chief Ben: Thank you. This boy be good boy, my son
(azd he sit on a chair)
Yes, he is a very clever and intelligent boy.
Bonny:
Chief Ben: Yes, na this kind boy I de like. Oh, why my
son, plenty chair, plenty things dey here where you
go fit sit down.
Thank you, Papa (and he sits on a chair.)
Bonny:
Chief Ben: Ah! my big friend don come!
(ENTER JOHN BULL)
John Bull: Welcome. Chief Ben and son. How dovou do
Bonny?
Bonny:
Goodevening, Sir.
John Bull: Thank you so much my son. Has it been long
you come?
Chief Ben: Not so-o long! Your boy say make we sit
down you de come.
Ozuru:
Yes, I instructed him to do so. I went to a
nearby neighbour over there to take something.
Chief- Ben: Oho-n-o! 1 think say you no remembers say
we coming today.
1 remembered it quite well. Ikem go
Ozuru:
- , and call
madam, big madam I mean..
Ikem:
Yes, Sir.

'

(EXIT
IKEM)
. . .. .
Chief Ben: T h i s your boy be cikver boy.,
John Bull: Yes, he ,doesn't delay in anything.
Bonny:
Very nice of him!
Chizf Ben: Where the girl we come see? Or she no dey
in now? Make she come see my son!
John Bull: You're right Ben! She will be here within
some minutes.
( E N T E R ELIZABETH)
Elizabeth: Welcome, Chief Ben! You come to our house
today, oh! with your son as well?
Chief Ben: Yes, visisi. We come to see our wife. She
stay for house?
Elizabeth: Well, I don't think she's in now.
John Bull: What? Where's she?
Elizabeth: I don't know.
Chief Ben: Ah! be she de fear my son?
John Bull: No, not necessarily that.
Chief Ben: Oh! I for say make she no fear, my son no
be bad person.
John Hull: No, not in that way.
Elizabeth: Welcome, Bonny.
Bonny:
Goodevening, madam.
Elizabeth: Thank you so much.
(ENTER I K E M )
John Bull: Do you see her?
Ikem:
No. I no see her.
John Bull: Where has she gone? I told her that Chief
Ben and Bonny would be coming today. Where's she
been, for goodness sake?
Chief Ben: Make ino be say she no wan marry my son?
John Bull: No, she's going to marry Bonny!
Elizabeth: Do you say no, John? Chief Ben and Bonny,
it is not good keeping you in suspense. Magi did not
agree that she will marry you, Bonny! That's all, but
I'm sorry. This is her wish and we have tried every
method to see that she reasoned with us, but all
were in vain.

John Uull So you know about her wher~about?

Elmheth. I do not know, it is in the same camp
. -you are
that I am.
Chief Ben: Well, good make you no come here make
argument. I wan go now with my son, but you go tell
us the time we go come again, John. You know we
be good friend long time now, no go grow annoy with
you now. But that day wey you go tell we we come
now, if we come that day and n ) meet her, I go be
angry with you.
John Rull: O,K! you will have to come back in two week's time, Chief Ben. Please don't grow annoyed with
me yet, Bonny.
Bonny: No, don't worry so much. Nothing is amiss yet,
added John Bull.
Chiet Ben. We de go-o! We go see that day-o!
Bonny: Goodbye to you, slr and madam.
John Bull: Thank you so much Bonny!
Elizabeth: Go-dbye. Bonny!
(EXIT CHIEF BEN AND BONNY, HIS SON)
John Bull: What's wrong with Magi?
Elizabe:h: I don's know. Vlagi knows herself and what
she's doing. Give us chance first. Ikem.
Ikem:
Yes madam.
John Bull: What's it, Ehza? Speak it out. Why do you
look so gloomy throughout
their stay here? Is any.
thing wrong? ~lizabeth: Do you know that Magi is expecting a baby
now?
John Bull: What? oh! this girl doen't want to be good
She has spoilt herself.
Elizabeth: Yes, but you helped her in it.
John Bull: By how? What are talking?
Elizabeth: Without your threats, she would not have done
so. She's not sorry for it. It seems she purposely did
it in order to know what you'll do.
John B11: Well, well, where is her? or isn't she ir. now?
Elizabeth: Do you think I was telling lies when I said
that I have not seen her since noon?

John Bull: What?

Yes,after revealing-this4 0 . meb she went. out
Eliza:
unoticed.
What's going to be done now? Don't you think
John:
we should go and give complain in the police station?
Elizabeth No, not yet. It's seven now, before nine o'clock
and if she didn't come back from wherever she may
be, we can then go and complain t o the police.
John Bull: What? Wait till nine o'clock in the night? If
it happens that she is finding where she'll hang herself
by now, don't you think that she can be detected out
by the police at once than to wait till nine o'clock
when she might succeeded in killing herself. Or don't
you have in mind that she may commit abortion?
Please let's do something about it now!
Elizabeth: I'm sorry I can be of no help to you now. This
is your own doing and you must solve it alone. Perhaps this is the tlme you'll consider my worth in this
house, but I'm not going to gwe a helping hand.
John Bull: You know all about her plans?
El~zabeth: She'll be my witness if she can be seen al~ve.
John Rull: Stop that. you fool! Stop kilhng my heart
with those frightening words!
I!lizabeth Yes. I may be fool now, hut you're ,more than
me in the past.
John Bull: It's useless exchanging words with you here.
(EXIT JOHN BULL)

Elizabeth: You have not seen anything yet. This is the

beginning!
CURTAIN FALLS.
SCENE EIGHT

In Karlv's Room

MAGI AND KATTY.

,_kjg~lr,-motherhas announced the news to your

Katty;;.
-.
.. father. . . ..
Magi:'
True 1
Yes.. And I learnt' that he's G r r i i d aljout it.
Kattv:
~a$:
Well, I bother less about his knowing of it. I
must go back this night. I i is Keni who is delaying
my going. Afterall, I have been out from home since
afternoon. None of them knew my whereabout. even
my mother.
Katty,
Why? you have a big heart, I tell you!
Well,
forget all about it now. Did you see him
Magi,
at home?
Katty,
Yes, He'll be here in a few minutes time,
( E N T E R RENI)
Oh! look, he's just come in time!
What's is it again, Magi? Why? anything wrong?
Keni,
Have I worried you so much, my Keni ?
Magi,
No, not at all. my love! Your worry, if it can
Keni,
be called worry in the real seme of it, to me js just
the greatest moment of joy t o me, my love.
Oh! if we go on like this, things will he very
Magi:
good for us. And if you can keep on understanding
my feelings as you do at present, our life as husband
and wife will be very interesting and joyful.
Hope that I'm with you at any moment, darling
Keni:
and you'll not be disappornted!
(addressing Katty) Please, Katty you can give
Magi:
us chance now for eome minutes.
You're free to go on as long as you wish *it[]Katty:
out being interrupted.
(EXIT RATTY)
Now, Keni, my love listen to me clearly. I don't
Magi:
want you to break down here. Whatever you may
hear now, bear it as a man in your neart. Don't be
afraid of anything and I don't want you to. If you
like you take it, but if you don't, you may go and
leave me to my fate, but never you forget that you
once had a girl who loved you so much and died
for your love.
~

57

Why all' fhis;'" Magi?-: You have.pot been speak.

Keni:.
ing as' you're doing now. IS a bad thing going to
happen, my dear? If so and it will affect your precious life, be assured that I'm going down in the grave
with you,-if theri's no way to present such a thing.
Oh! l'm back to myself again! I'm once more,
Magi
' alife. If not for you. I would have gone back to the
irlvislble world of spirits. But you're still at my side
and fans the air of life intc, my heart.
Keni:
Re assured, my love and my live, Magi, that
I'm with you and and will continue to d o so as long
as there's life.
Magi:
I'm happy now, my love The whole truth is
that I'm expecting a baby for you. It is the first
fruit of our love. That's why I have sent for you.
Keni:
What! So soon?
Yes, isn't it sood so?
Magi:
1 won't desert you, my dear.
Keni:
Thank you so much, that's all I want to hear
Magi:
from you.
But what I want to let you know again is-erKeni:
how can I explain it well to you?
You mean about the bride price?
Magi:
Keni:
Yes, actually!
Well, don't worry s o much about it. I hope you
Magi:
keep that money I gave .you last time in a safe place?
Yes, nothing has happened to it.
Keni:
Magi: Well. I want you to come withit lo our house about
twoweek's time. You'll use it to pay my bride price to
my faiher, if a t all he'll demand any. But be ready,
you're 'going to meet something that day.
Keni:
Don't worry about anything. I shall come in
time t o defend you from any attack, darling.
Magi:
Thank you very much, my love-that's all I
want to tell you now. You ca? go now.
'

58

6.K; take heart my love.

Ken?
Don't worry any more. You have satisfied my
Magi:
curiosity. Yes, bat don't you let anybody into the
secret of that money, even to your parents.
Keni:
I'll never betray you, my love. Goodbye!
Magi:
O.K! My love.
(EXIT KENI)
Oh! he's quite a man to have as a husband! I
have not made any mistaken in my choice!
CURTAIN FALLS.
SCENE NINE
In

Ozuru:

John BUN'S House

(he calls) Ikem! Ikem! where are you, Ikem?

(ENTER IKEM)

(sweating) You call me sir? I don come.

Ikem:
John Bull Yes, where have you been all the while I have
been calling you?
Ikem:
Na from kitchen I de come now, sir. Madam
tell me say you de calling me, make I come now sir.
John Bull: Yes, I called you, has she returned? I rnear?
Magi!
Ikem: Ah! I no seeing her since she now returned yet, sir.
John Bull: Nobody has seen her. But you have no idea
of where she has gone?
Ah! no fit make out, sir. She get trick plenty.
Ikem:
John Bull: When you go back to the kitchen, tell madam
that I want to see her now.
Ikem:
Yes, sir.
(EXIT IKEM)
John Ball: What kind of temptation is this? What can
I call it? Where has she gone? What's wrong with
Magi? What's worrying her? I have money and can
buy her anything she likes. Why do she preferred to

marry a poor fellow instead of the son af a rich man?

I wonder what she's up to. And it seems to me that
her mother knows all about her secrets, but she won't
tell me where her daughter has been since. Yes, she's
supposed to know he steps than I do, but she pretends
to know not. I'm tired of all these things! But if she
commits suicide now, uho will be blamed for it?
Sometimes she may drop a suicide note and say that
I'm the cause of her death. That I d~dil'tallow her
to marry the man of her choice-her love -she may
term it. And people will blame me so much for it!
Oh! how can 1 face the blam: of people? And it may
be published in the newspapers with bold letters! How
can I withstand such a s~ght-oh!where are you Magi!
Come back to your Papa!
(ENTER ELIZABETH)
Elizabeth What is it my dear? You sent for me, not so?
Ozuru
Yes, come in, I sent for you. Have you
seen Magi?
Elizabeth:
No, I have not.
John Bull: True?
Elizabeth:
Yes.
John Bull: You see I can't sleep soundly this night without seeing Magi come back this night. Now is eight
o'clock and shc's no where to be found. We must go
at once to police station and give complain. This I S
above me. You see I'm begmning to get worried
'
over the whole affalr.
Elizabeth: This is a situtation in which I found myself
with no idea whatsoever for its solution. Infact, I
have already started to entertain some fear about
the whole thing.
John Bull: The only idea I have now about it is to go
to the police station and give report or notice, whith
you may choose tocall it. I'm gettingtired about it all!
Elizabeth: I think we better wait for some more minutes before that, to avoid giving false information to the
police. You know they're going to publish it in the
newspapers the moment it reaches them. 4nd if after

, .

that she cdmes back without being found by the pelice or by any other person, for that matter, you
know it's going to be a scandal in town.
John Bull. Bu: 1 can't control myself any longer! This is
paining me so much, but you don't know.

(ENTER M A G I )
Oh! what an I seeing? Come back to me, my daughter Magi.
Magi:
Yes, it has not starred to pain you any way.
You're just shedding crocodile tears!
Elizabeth: Dont' you see now, if we had informed the
police about it, what would have been our position
now?
John Bull: Come back to me, Magi-come back to your
senses. It's not good talking like that.
Magi, Well, I'm with my senses, and I know what I'm
doing. You thought that I had gone out io covmit .
suicide because I'm expecting a baby for my dear
love-no! I will never do so, for my love is with me
at any moment.
Elizabeth: What's the cause of all this! Magi? Why? are
you running mad?
Magi:
I'm not, but those who think 1 am, will first
find themselves going naked in public, hut, 1'11 remain
as you see me now, pitying them, if at all they will
deserve my pity.
John Bull: I hope you're not cursing me. Magi?
Elizabeth: Please, go into my room, Magi. You're so
tired to stand here and exchange words with your
father.
Magi:
I'm not going to rest now. By the way, what
kind of father is he? A father who don't want happiness for his daughter? A father who is threatening t o
disown his daughter if she happens t o marry the man
she loves? With nojust reason other than that he's
from a poor family. Now I have come back to this
house only t o give you the chance to do whatever you like
now with me. Hut I'm happy that my love is with
me. I'm expecting a baby for him. If you kill me now,
you know that you have commited double murder!

Elizabeth; Stop so far, Magi! Will you get out and go

to my room! This is not how to do it! (and she directs Magi out of the room) she needs rest now, you see?
John Bull: Yes, actually. Something is worrying her now.
CURTAIN FALLS.
SCENE TEN
In Keni's Room
KEN1 AND FELI
Feli:
Hello! friend, cheer up. I have a good news
from the dream world of lovers!
Welcome, Feli, how do you do?
keni:
Feli:
N o trouble at present. Nothing to think about,
you see? Oh! my goodness! but you're looking so
gloomy, Keni. Why?
Nothing-I mean nothing, you see.
Keni:

Well, if you're hiding anything from me now, I

won't do l~kew~se
to you. 1 can tell you that I'm just
from Katty now. She's quite a nice girl.
Keni.
Is that so?
Feli:
Yes, I have started to [drink the wine of love.
Keni:
Yotlr own experience may be d.fferent from
mine, you understand ?
Feli:
Yes, I do. She's quite a nice girl. I can tell you!
Keni:
Yes, Please did she tell you anything about Magi?
Feli:
Nothing, what's it.
Keni:
N o news about her?
Feli:
Nothing. Is she missing?
Keni:
No. It nothing of that sort.
Feli:
Ah! many things do happen nowadays-don't
blame me for having asked as you did-after all so
many things actually do happen these days. The
whole truth about my question is that I want to
know whetner you have heard about it-you know
Magi is expecting a baby for me!
Feli

62

Feli: Is that so, do you mean if?

Keni: I'm telling you the truth. nothing but the truth.
I mean it to the last words of it.
Feli: Well, if it's why you were looking so gloomy the
time I came in, I can advise you to cheer up! it's
no evil.
Keni:b I'm not thinking about anything of that kind.
I must welcome my first child with joy and happiness. After all, we shall get married before its arrival.
Magi: I have not come to see who will marry me. I
should welcome them, but I am sorry I won't give
him my hand in marriage for I have already g o t
married to my love who is with me at any moment
Johnbull: Shut up, what are you talking?
Magi. Yes, you won't understand because I refused to
marry Bonny who is the son of a rich man and chief.
I'm sorry to say that I don't love yotl Bonny and
therefore, should never accept to be your wife under
any circumstance and pressure.
Chief Ben: What are we waiting again? Bonny, let's
go, we have failed. Needless wasting t ~ m e This is a
matter where love reigns supreme.
Bonny: Well, I have no objection to your wish, Magi.
If you love another person then I, I'll never be an
int~uder,but if afterwards you reconsider to come to
me I shall bc very glad to receive you.
Chief Ben: That's it, my son.
Magi; Well thank you very much, Bonny and C h i e f
lgboanu. This is because you understand the language
of love. Rut, the fact, and the only fact of the whole
affair is that I have already decided to marry the
only man I love.
Johnbull; Who is this man that you love? What's his
name? I want to know.
Magi; Well, he's no other person than Keni, the son
of Joseph, and if you to see him now, he'll
be around.

63

(EN.!.:!+ K.ELNO.
Chief Ben: O h , . he's the son of my good 'friend, Joseph.
Welcome, my boy. He's a good match to her. This
is my son, Bonny.
Keni: Oh, thank you very much, Bonny. How do you
do:,
Bonny: Nothiilg is wrong-that you so much.
Magi: See where you're now! ,what objection ha;e you
about it. Papa?
Chief Ben: He can't obiect it, Magi. Your choice is
a very good one. L&S go my son, Bonny.
(Exit chirf Ben and Bonny)
Johnbull: This is wonderful indeed.
Keni; Now I have come to pay the bride price, and after
that I wish you to bless our marriage.
Johnbull: You're not going to pay the bride price, my son
I want you to live in peace with my daughter. Your
marriage have already been l~lessedby the Almighty
God. Magi, you and your lo+e have won!
Magi: I'm very happy now that you have come to realise
the true worth of love!
CURTAIN FALLS
"
c1
Oh, have you made arrangement with her?
Keni It's her will to become my wife.
Feli: Oh, things will be alright then.
Keni: Yes, but what remains now is my parents-I have
not informed them about it. And i don't k n o w
how far they are going to receive it with happy heart.
Feli: That's a simple thing to do. If you're determined
with your choice and decision, they won't present a
difficult case in the least. G o ahead with your plan,
boy. I wish you goodluck!
Keni: Thank you very much for that. We shall see again
But mind how you drink the wine of your lover!
Feli: 0 K., goodbye,
Keni: See you again.
Exit Feli (alone)

Keni: So this is how it starts? This life is full of steps

and stages! Soon. I should be called the father of a
child! And from there I should begin to raise a
family of my own.
(ENTER JOSEPH)
Joseph: Look, what are you thinking about, Keni? Do
you know the time I came in?
Keni: Oh, Papa! Infact, I don't know that it's you. I
thought that it was another person. Oh, I have a
very serious and important matter that occupied my
whole <thoug!?t.
Joseph: What's it, my son? You're thinking about the
' love of Magi the rich man's daughter, I hope? You're
going to drap dead one day because, of her.
Keni: Yes, I'm thinking a b o u t her now, but I'm not
going to regret it. Things are beginning to shape
themselves to our favour.
Joseph: You know I have no money to pay for her bride
price. Rich pesple marry rich men's daughters. It's
only the son of a rich man who can marry Mzgi.
You don't know her father, Johnbull. He's a very
rich man and very very proud of himself. How do
you think that he'll allow you to marry h e r
daughter? Please, I don't want trouble here-I'm
not rich, and therefore, don't want to compete with
rich people.
Keni: Don't fear about the money for' the bride price,
things; will be alright. We have agreed to marry ourselves.
Joseph: What? do you want to tell me that you have the
money for the bride price now?
Keni: Don't worry about that, only promise me t h a t
you'll receive her as my wife when she comes.
Joseph: Did you steal the money or what?
Keni: Oh, for goodness' sake! don't talk what w i 11
stop anncy me now, Papa. Please, I'm not a thief,
Papa suggesting that I might have stolen the money.
65

Joseph: What do you want me t c d o then? I won't

'say that again.Keni: Thank you very much. Magi doesn't d o what some
daughters of rich men do. She's auite a nice woman.
shewrespects people and is will~ngto learn from anybody, whether rich or poor.
Joseph: Until I see her manners, then 1'11 know what to
do.
Keni: Well, I want to tell you now that she's expecting
a baby for me, Papa.
Joseph: What!-what do you say? Who will give you
the money for the bride price? You don't fall where
.you can be seen.
Keni: Well, don't worry about that. Just keep calm and
you will see what is-going to happen.
Joseph: 1 have nothing :o say again - y o u know how
you are going all about it.

(EVTER M A R Y )

Oh, come and hear what's is going on, Onyema.

Your son is not very hear here as you see him so.
'Mary: What is it, any trouble?
Joseph: Ask him to tell you. I donot know how toexplain it to you.
Mary: Well, what is it, my son. Keni? Please tell me,
. anything wrong?
Keni: No, Mama...-it's no bad news.
Mary: What's. it then?
Keni: I shall be getting married very soon.
Marv: Get married?
~ e n f : Yes. Mama.
Mary: ~ i i hwhom?
Keni: With Magi.
Keni: The daughter of Johnbull.
Mary: Are you still after her? Are you
- still made for
-her lovd?
Keni: I can tell you that she is expecting a:baby for me
now.
Mary: What! A baby, you say?

Keni: Yes.
Mary: Well, I won't blame you so much, but where
can you get the money for the bride price?
Johnhull: Can you claim any amount f r o m hundred
pounds upward.
Joseph: That was what I have been asking him since.
Keni: You'll not have to bother about the bride price.
Just promise me that you're going to receive her well
a ~ dtreat her as the wite of your son.
Mary: What?
Keni: Yes.
Mary Well, you can be assured of my earnest co-operation as yo11 have asked of me.
Keni: Thank you very much for th~s, Mama.
Joseph: But I wonder!
Mary: Stop wondering any longer. After all it is not a
bad thing.
Keni: Oh, thank you very much Mama! Your words
of encouragement to me can't be forgotten.
Joseph: Yes. i know that you'll praise her so much,
because she supports you now.
Mary: And why shouldn't we support him'! At least,
he needs our moral support in this matter, as we're
unable to give him financial support.
Keni: Oh, thank you once more for that, Mama!
Mary: Yes, be assured of our moral support to you in
this your venture.
Joseph: We wish you every luck in this your business
of life!
Keni: Thank you so much Papa.
CURTAIN FALLS
SCENE ELEVEN

(Johnbull and his wife Elizaberh)

John: What is she doing now? I hope she's making
some progress?
Elizabeth: What I know is that she's not sick and she
has not complained to me about any.

Johnbull: . Have you any idea about what w ~ u l dbeher

...... beh.ayiour,,when. Ch&f Ben comes,+qday with'his::S&i,
, . . th's t h
_.,
i..g ' s h ~ __.__
l d&me.
Bonny?'. Y + - know it- ii't,day
Elizabeth: Oh, 'is' it '-tod!&?
Johnbull: Yrs, what do you think s,&' w.dl. d o ? i'ii&e
she's not going to disappoint us again? Be alrtght.
We have agreed to marry ourselves.
Joseph: What'! Do you want to tell me that you hai'e
the money for the bride price now?
Keni: Don't worry about that, only promise me that
you'll receive her we:l as my wife when she comes.
Joseph: Did you steal the money or what'!
Keni Oh, for goodnkss' sake! Don't talk what w i l l
ancoy me now, Papa. Please, I'm not a thief, Papa
stop suggesting that I might have stolen the money.
Joseph: What do you want me to do t h e n ? I won't say
that again.
Keni: Thank you very much. Magi doesn't do what
some daughters of rich m a do. She's quite a n i c e
woman. She respects pzople and is w~llingto learn
from anytody wthether rich or poor.
Joseph: Until I see her manners, then I will know what
t o do.
Keni: Well, I want t o tell you now that she's expectinga baby for me, Papa.
Joseph: What! Whit do you say? Who w~llgive y o u
the money for the bride mice? You don't fall where
you can be seen.
Keni: Well, don't worry about that. Just keep calm and
you'll see what is going to happen.
Joseph: I have no:h;ng to say again you know how you're
going all about it.
(EVTER MARY)
Oh, come and hear what is going on, Onyema. Your
son is not very near here as you him so.
Mary: What is it, any trouble?
Jozeph: Ask him to tell you. I don't know how to explain it to you.
Mary, Well, what's it, my son, Keni? Please tell me,
anything wrong?
C _ _ _

,,_:..i

Keni: No, Mama -it's no bad news.

Mary: What's it then?
Keni: I shall be getting married very soon.
Mary: Get married?
Keni: Yes, Mama.
Mary: With whom?
Keni: With Magi?
Mary: Which Magi?
Keni: The daughter of Johnbull.
Mary: Are you still after her? Are you still mad for
her love?
Keni: I can tell you that she's expecting a baby for me
now.
Mary: What! A baby, you say?
Keni: Yes.,
Mary: Well, I won't blame you so much, but where
can you get the money for the bride price?
Johnbull: Can claim any amount from hundred pounds
upward.
Joseph: That was what I have been asking him since.
Keni: You'll not have to bother about the bride price.
Just promise me that you're going to receive her well
and treat her as the wife of your son
Mary: What?
Keni: Yes.
Mary: Well, you can be assured of my earnest co-operation as you have asked of me.
Keni: Thank you very much for this, Mama.
Joseph: But I wonder!
Mary: Stop wondering any longer. After all it is not a
bad thing.
Keni: Oh, thank you very much Mama! Your words
of encouragement to me can't be forgotten.
Joseph: Yes, I know that you'll praise her so much,
because she supports you now.
69

Mary: And why shouldn't we support him? At least,

he needs our moral support in this matter, as we're
unable to give h ~ mfinancial support.
Keni: Oh, thank you once more for that, Mama!
Mary: Yes, be assured of our moral support to you in
this your venture.
Joseph: We wish you every luck in this your busmess of
life!
Keni: Thank you so much, Papa.
CURTAIN FALLS
SCENE ELEVEN
(Johnbull and his wife Elizabeth)

Johnbull: What is she doing now, I hope she's making

some progress?
Elizabeth: What I know is that she's not sick and she has
not complained to me about any.
Johnbull: Have you any idea about what would be her
behaviour when Chief Ben comes today with his son,
Bonny7 You know it is today that they should come.
Elizabeth: Oh, is it today?
Johnbull: Yes, what do you think she will do? I hope
she's not going to disappoint us again?
Elizabeth: Well, I don't know what will be her next line of
action. Her general behaviour cannot be predicted.
Infact, 1 can tell you now that I don't know what
she's going to do ln the next hour. But if may suggest, it is better to allow her to marry the man of
her choice this time that she's expecting a b a b y.
There'll be no gain in forcing her to marry against
her will.
Johnbull: Are you sure she's expecting a baby?
Elizabeth: Yes, she said so and I believe her.
Johnbull: That's quite a lie! I don't believe it. I know
her trick. Where's she by thc way?
Elizabeth: She's in the kitchen. Do you want her now?
Johnbull: Yes, call her. Wait, where's Ikem? send him
to go and call her.
(ENTER MAGI)
-

Elizabeth: Oh look, she's just come without being calledI wonder!

Magi: What's it, Mama?
Elizabeth: Nothing- I say noth~ng.
Johnbull: I hope you remember that Chief Hen and his
son Bonny are to coming this hcuse today?
Magi: As your quests I hope?
Johnbull: Why-and -/ours as well!
Magi. Well, count me out.
Johnbull: Why mag^? Why are you so obstinate? Can't
you reason well?
Magi: I don't want to exhaust myself before the real
combat.
(Exit Magi with anger)
Elizabeth: You have seen what 1 was telling- you
before
.
she came.
Johnbull: Well. that's no vroblem now. lonlv. w i s h
they have arrived now.Elizabeth: Oh, look they havejust arrived!
(Enter Chief Ben and his son B m n y )
Johnbull: Oh, you're just welcome in my house. How
do you do Chief Ben?
Chief Ben: I no do any de.
Johnbull: You're wonderful, well things will be alright
today.
Chief Ben: We no wan delay like last time. We go go
another place after this. Make you go call her now.
No be so my son?
Bonny: You're alright, Papa.
(Re-enter M a g i )
Johnbull: Oh, she's here already! Welcome them, Magi
you're so beautiful nowadays! Welcome Chief Ben and
his son, Bonny, who is going to marry you.
Magi: I have not come to see who will marry me. I
should welcome them, but I am sorry I won't give
him my hand in marriage for I have : i h a d y
got married to my love who is with me at any moment.
Johnbull: Shut up! What are talking?
Magi: Yes, you won't understand because I refused to
marry Bonny who is the son of a rich man and chief.

71

I'm sorry tosay that. I don't love you ,Bonny. .and

therefore, should never accept to Se your. wife under
any circumstanc: and pressure!
Chief Ben: What are we waiting again, Bonny? Let's go,
we have failed. Needless wasting time. This is a
matter where love reigns supreme.
Bonny: Well, I have no o'jection to your wish, Magi.
If you love another persm than I. I'll never be an
intruder, but if afterwards you reconsider to come to
me I shall be very glad to receive you.
Chief Ben: That's it, my son!
Magi: We, thank you very much, Bonny and Chief Igboanu. This is because you understand the language
of love. But, t'-e fact, and the only fact o f the whole
affair is that I have already deided to marry the
only man I love.
Johnbull: Who is this man that you love? What's his
name? I want to know.
Magi: Well, he's no other person than Keni, the son of
Joseph! And if you want to see him now he'll be around
(ENTER KENI)
Chief Ben: Oh, he's the son of my good friend, Joseph.
Welcome, my boy. He's a good match to her! This
is my son Ronny!
Keni: Oh. thank you very much, Bonny How do you do?
Bonny: ~ o t h i n g-is wrong-thank you so mvch:
Magi: See where you're now! What objection have you
about it, papa?
Chief Ben: He can't object it, Magi. Your choice is a
very good one. Letk go my son, Bonny.
(Exit Chref Ben and Bonny)
Johnbull: This is wonderful indeed!
Keni: Now I have come to DAY the bride D iee.. and after that I wish
you to bless our marrhb.
Johnbull: You're not going to pay the bride price, my son. I want
you to live in peace w ~ t hmy daughter. Your marriage have already
been blessed by the Alm~ghtGod. Magi, you and your love have
won!
Magi: -7% very happy now that you have come to realise the true
worth of love!
CURTAIN FALLS

THE END.

;,

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Ordqv your ~ s ~ i c a rnovels
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from
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C. ORDTUERS OOOXSWOC,

No. 30 Okwuenu Street, Fegge-3nitsh-a. Nigeria.

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1 Never tiust all that lore you

2sd
2 The way to avoid poverty
2s 6d
3 How t : ~know pr.werhs and many things 3s 6d
4 Man uorks hard for m o ~ ~ e y
2s 6d
5 The game of love
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6 T h i n s worth knowing in-questions and
answers
2s 6d
7 How to study English, Ibo, Hausa,
2: 6d
and Ycruba
8 Our modern love leters
2s 6d
9 Why boys never trust money-monger- $;Is 2s 6d
10 What women are thinking about men 2s 6d
11 Ibo made easy in English lavguage
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12 How to write important letters,
applications and asreements
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Better se~tencesand Compsitibn .. .'{: . . 2s 6d
14 Hausa to .speak to girls an& w$~.their:~lqvc-2s6d
15 The trial and judgement cif-ChteF A w ~ w o . 2 $6d.
16 .The life st@y and death k& KenF&. $# 61
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Agreements T6legrams; Bussinesn . elce&.3r
Compositions Love*letters and Toast. .".
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H O W TO WRITE
AND

REPLY LETTERS FOR MARRIAGE,

ENGAGEMENT LETTERS,

LOVE LETTERS
ASD

HOW TO KNOW A GIRL

TO MARRY

I f you know bow to writr intereking love letters, you

must marry a beautiful girl of your wish.

'