 although so late, for I
have something to say which you may be glad to hear. Tomorrow I shall go to the
Sultan; a trader wants the friendship of great men. Then I shall return here to
speak serious words, if Tuan permits. I shall not go to the Arabs; their lies
are very great! What are they? Chelakka!«
    Almayer's voice sounded a little more pleasantly in reply.
    »Well, as you like. I can hear you to-morrow at any time if you have
anything to say. Bah! After you have seen the Sultan Lakamba you will not want
to return here, Inchi Dain. You will see. Only mind, I will have nothing to do
with Lakamba. You may tell him so. What is your business with me, after all?«
    »To-morrow we talk, Tuan, now I know you,« answered the Malay. »I speak
English a little, so we can talk and nobody will understand, and then -«
    He interrupted himself suddenly, asking surprised, »What's that noise,
Tuan?«
    Almayer had also heard the increasing noise of the scuffle recommenced on
the women's side of the curtain. Evidently Nina's strong curiosity was on the
point of overcoming Mrs. Almayer's exalted sense of social proprieties. Hard
breathing was distinctly audible, and the curtain shook during the contest,
which was mainly physical, although Mrs. Almayer's voice was heard in angry
remonstrance with its usual want of strictly logical reasoning, but with the
well-known richness of invective.
    »You shameless woman! Are you a slave?« shouted shrilly the irate matron.
»Veil your face, abandoned wretch! You white snake, I will not let you!«
    Almayer's face expressed annoyance and also doubt as to the advisability of
interfering between mother and daughter. He glanced at his Malay visitor, who
was waiting silently for the end of the uproar in an attitude of amused
expectation, and waving his hand contemptuously he murmured -
    »It is nothing. Some women.«
    The Malay nodded his head gravely, and his face assumed an expression of
serene indifference, as etiquette demanded after such an explanation. The
contest was ended behind the curtain, and evidently the younger will had its
way, for the rapid shuffle and click of Mrs. Almayer's high-heeled sandals died
away in the distance. The tranquillized master of the house was going to resume
the conversation when, struck by an unexpected change in the expression of his
guest's countenance,
