Set in the early 20th century, it's the story of a teenage boy, pawned by his father to pay a debt, who finds himself thrown into the complex world of pre-colonial East Africa.

故事设定在20世纪初， 讲述了一个十几岁的男孩，被父亲抵押以抵偿债务，从而被卷入了殖民前东复杂的世界。

Yet the misery, for which years of happiness were to offer no compensation, received soon afterwards material relief, from observing how much the beauty of her sister re-kindled the admiration of her former lover.

不过话说回来，虽然终身的幸福也抵偿不了眼前的痛苦，可是不到几分钟工夫，她看到姐姐的美貌又打动了她先前那位情人的心，于是她的痛苦便大大减轻了。

When first he came in, he had spoken to her but little; but every five minutes seemed to be giving her more of his attention.

不过话说回来，虽然终身的幸福也抵偿不了眼前的痛苦，可是不到几分钟工夫，她看到姐姐的美貌又打动了她先前那位情人的心，于是她的痛苦便大大减轻了。