Could be using “wend” in the book? I like to presume that’s what’s happening.

I could do the Gaijin by Clavell audio book for this reason! The narrator’s “Japanese” accent was just awful.

“Their Eyes Were Watching God” The narrator pronounced a Florida city “MY-can-o-pee” instead of “mi-can-O-pee” (short i). To be fair, it’s Mycanopy, so I get it’s confusing, but it’s a real town!