HOME LIFE OF THE AFRICAN. 



105 



In the happy instances where baby is so fortunate as to be fed 

 on natural food, it grows rapidly, and its fatness stands it in good 

 stead as it rolls or creeps in the dust of the village street, or as it 

 falls in its early attempt to stand alone. 



The mothers' love for their children is the purest love that 

 enters into their lives, and while the children are yet infants, the 



SOCIAL AMUSEMENT AMONG THE NATIVES. 



women are generally accorded some exemption from the usual long 

 list of woman's duties. 



The child, if a boy, is apt to be neglected. Its mother is again 

 fully occupied with her tasks, many of which take her away from 

 the village for half-days. A man will kindly nurse and fondle his 

 helpless baby while his wife may be away, but when the boy's ability 

 to run about relieves both parents, he may suffer during theif 

 absence. A jealous fellow-wife will take small interest to give him 

 food, or to interfere for his defense against the self-assertion of 

 some bigger boy. 



