She was sweating. but didn't look particularly concerned by it, I couldn't see her husband anywhere. Maybe he was in the fields. I'd heard that some of the people of the village still secretly planted opium. But it was difficult for me to ask Mpala about it. Our conversation was limited by our inability in each other's language, and by strange taboos that I didn't understand "Let me help you." I said. "No!" She said it firmly. It was an order I was startled, and could only nod obediently. I follwed along behind her, like a well trained dog. "Mpala, have you ever been to the city?" "Hm...?" "Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai! You ever go Chiang Mai?" I pointed to her south as I spoke. Her eyes shone when she heard the words "Chiang Mai" "Mm Don't know," she answered shyly, turning her face away. "Would you like to go there? To Chiang Mai?" She hid her tanned face. Suddenly, I felt Tupho touch my hand. I understood this as a signal to keep away from Mpala. All of a sudden, I was aware of the eyes of a group of people, fixed on Mpala and me. The people were smiling. "You want to come to my house, don't you?" Tupho asked kindly.