It is clear that the grandchildren whom Okeke discovers
that he has through the letter that Nene sends to him are key to reuniting the family.
When he hears that his grandchildren want to meet him and get to know him, this softens
Okeke's heart toward his daughter-in-law and son and how his son picked a wife from
outside of the tribe. Note how he responds to this news of his
grandchildren:
Okeke was trying hard not to think of his two
grandsons. But he knew he was now fighting a losing battle. He tried to hum a favourite
hymn but the pattering of large raindrops on the roof broke up the tune. His mind
immediately returend to the children. How could he shut his door against
them?
It is the fact of his
grandchildren that makes Okeke radically reassess his belief that marriage is a private
affair and that it should not occur outside of tribal relations. His desire to see his
grandchildren and make up for his absence to them overpowers other concerns, and the
story ends with Okeke falling asleep, consumed with remorse and a fear that it might be
too late.
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