(Although she entirely understood the argument in favour of openness, there were limits to the extent to which one should speak frankly. She did not agree with the custom that was sometimes followed in Africa of avoiding direct confrontation with those with whom one disagreed-that led to all sorts of failures, she knew-but one should still be careful to avoid hurting feelings by challenging others too openly. Often it was better to be gentle-to say something in such a way that the person criticised did not feel too humiliated. It was all a question of face, she decided: you had to leave room for face to be saved. She)