Abdulla，firmlypersuadedoftheexistenceofsomemoreimportantdealings，received，however，theinformationwithallthesignsofrespectfulastonishment。Andthetwowouldseparate，theArabcursinginwardlythewilydog，whileBabalatchiwentonhiswaywalkingonthedustypath，hisbodyswaying，hischinwithitsfewgreyhairspushedforward，resemblinganinquisitivegoatbentonsomeunlawfulexpedition。Attentiveeyeswatchedhismovements。Jim-Eng，descryingBabalatchifaraway，wouldshakeoffthestuporofanhabitualopiumsmokerand，totteringontothemiddleoftheroad，wouldawaittheapproachofthatimportantperson，readywithhospitableinvitation。ButBabalatchi\'sdiscretionwasproofevenagainstthecombinedassaultsofgoodfellowshipandofstronggingenerouslyadministeredbytheopen-heartedChinaman。Jim-Eng，owninghimselfbeaten，wasleftuninformedwiththeemptybottle，andgazedsadlyafterthedepartingformofthestatesmanofSambirpursuinghisdeviousandunsteadyway，which，asusual，ledhimtoAlmayer\'scompound。EversinceareconciliationhadbeeneffectedbyDainMaroolabetweenhiswhitefriendandtheRajah，theone-eyeddiplomatisthadagainbecomeafrequentguestintheDutchman\'shouse。ToAlmayer\'sgreatdisgusthewastobeseenthereatalltimes，strollingaboutinanabstractedkindofwayontheverandah，skulkinginthepassages，orelsepoppingroundunexpectedcorners，alwayswillingtoengageMrs。Almayerinconfidentialconversation。Hewasveryshyofthemasterhimself，asifsuspiciousthatthepent-upfeelingsofthewhitemantowardshispersonmightfindventinasuddenkick。Butthecookingshedwashisfavouriteplace，andhebecameanhabitualguestthere，squattingforhoursamongstthebusywomen，withhischinrestingonhisknees，hisleanarmsclaspedroundhislegs，andhisoneeyerovinguneasily——theverypictureofwatchfulugliness。AlmayerwantedmorethanoncetocomplaintoLakambaofhisPrimeMinister\'sintrusion，butDaindissuadedhim。\"Wecannotsayawordherethathedoesnothear，\"growledAlmayer。
\"Thencomeandtalkonboardthebrig，\"retortedDain，withaquietsmile。\"Itisgoodtoletthemancomehere。Lakambathinksheknowsmuch。PerhapstheSultanthinksIwanttorunaway。Betterlettheone-eyedcrocodilesunhimselfinyourcampong，Tuan。\"
AndAlmayerassentedunwillinglymutteringvaguethreatsofpersonalviolence，whileheeyedmalevolentlytheagedstatesmansittingwithquietobstinacybyhisdomesticrice-pot。
chapter05
CHAPTERV。