Her
mother was feasting her eyes and ears with what was taking place on the
front verandah, and Nina approached to take her share in the rare
pleasure of some novelty. She was met by her mother's extended arm and
by a low murmured warning not to make a noise.
"Have you seen them, mother?" asked Nina, in a breathless whisper.
Mrs. Almayer turned her face towards the girl, and her sunken eyes shone
strangely in the red half-light of the passage.
"I saw him," she said, in an almost inaudible tone, pressing her
daughter's hand with her bony fingers. "A great Rajah has come to
Sambir--a Son of Heaven," muttered the old woman to herself. "Go away,
girl!"
The two women stood close to the curtain, Nina wishing to approach the
rent in the stuff, and her mother defending the position with angry
obstinacy. On the other side there was a lull in the conversation, but
the breathing of several men, the occasional light tinkling of some
ornaments, the clink of metal scabbards, or of brass siri-vessels passed
from hand to hand, was audible during the short pause. The women
struggled silently, when there was a shuffling noise and the shadow of
Almayer's burly form fell on the curtain.
The women ceased struggling and remained motionless.
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