She lived in a high density urban area but had spent the last month
with her uncle, her mother’s brother. We were bringing her back home
and she pleaded with her uncle to get her mother to let her stay for a
while longer:

Her mother, nervously declined and explained that her father wanted
her home now:

She was nervous, because she herself knew that it was a breach of
custom. The maternal uncle has more authority over the children of a
family than a biological father. That is the way a matriarchy works.

It was an awkward moment, a clash between traditional and modern
values and he felt the clumsiness of the situation. Deep down, he felt
it wasn’t a good reason. His niece was crushed.