There's such
a lot of fools about. There was that young fellow from the bank who used
to ride to the Vinck bungalow early and late. That old woman thought it
was for that Emma of hers. When she found out what he wanted exactly,
there was a row, I can tell you. She would not have Nina--not an hour
longer--in the house. Fact is, I heard of this affair and took the girl
to my wife. My wife is a pretty good woman--as women go--and upon my
word we would have kept the girl for you, only she would not stay. Now,
then! Don't flare up, Kaspar. Sit still. What can you do? It is
better so. Let her stay with you. She was never happy over there. Those
two Vinck girls are no better than dressed-up monkeys. They slighted
her. You can't make her white. It's no use you swearing at me. You
can't. She is a good girl for all that, but she would not tell my wife
anything. If you want to know, ask her yourself; but if I was you I
would leave her alone. You are welcome to her passage money, old fellow,
if you are short now." And the skipper, throwing away his cigar, walked
off to "wake them up on board," as he expressed it.
Almayer vainly expected to hear of the cause of his daughter's return
from his daughter's lips.
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