Only Almayer's heavy step on the verandah and his
querulous clamour for food decided Mrs. Almayer to lift a warning cry.
Maroola leaped lightly over the low bamboo fence, and made his way
stealthily through the banana plantation down to the muddy shore of the
back creek, while Nina walked slowly towards the house to minister to her
father's wants, as was her wont every evening. Almayer felt happy enough
that evening; the preparations were nearly completed; to-morrow he would
launch his boats. In his mind's eye he saw the rich prize in his grasp;
and, with tin spoon in his hand, he was forgetting the plateful of rice
before him in the fanciful arrangement of some splendid banquet to take
place on his arrival in Amsterdam. Nina, reclining in the long chair,
listened absently to the few disconnected words escaping from her
father's lips. Expedition! Gold! What did she care for all that? But
at the name of Maroola mentioned by her father she was all attention.
Dain was going down the river with his brig to-morrow to remain away for
a few days, said Almayer. It was very annoying, this delay. As soon as
Dain returned they would have to start without loss of time, for the
river was rising. He would not be surprised if a great flood was coming.
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