She hid herself
in the long grass to wait anxiously for the sunset that seemed so slow to
come.
On the other side of the ditch, behind the bush, by the clear fires, the
seamen of the frigate had encamped on the hospitable invitation of
Almayer. Almayer, roused out of his apathy by the prayers and
importunity of Nina, had managed to get down in time to the jetty so as
to receive the officers at their landing. The lieutenant in command
accepted his invitation to his house with the remark that in any case
their business was with Almayer--and perhaps not very pleasant, he added.
Almayer hardly heard him. He shook hands with them absently and led the
way towards the house. He was scarcely conscious of the polite words of
welcome he greeted the strangers with, and afterwards repeated several
times over again in his efforts to appear at ease. The agitation of
their host did not escape the officer's eyes, and the chief confided to
his subordinate, in a low voice, his doubts as to Almayer's sobriety. The
young sub-lieutenant laughed and expressed in a whisper the hope that the
white man was not intoxicated enough to neglect the offer of some
refreshments. "He does not seem very dangerous," he added, as they
followed Almayer up the steps of the verandah.
Pages:
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169