TO
EDWARDLANCELOTSANDERSON
AUTHOR’SNOTE
\"AnOutcastoftheIslands\"ismysecondnovelintheabsolutesenseoftheword；secondinconception，secondinexecution，secondasitwereinitsessence。Therewasnohesitation，half-formedplan，vagueidea，orthevaguestreverieofanythingelsebetweenitand\"Almayer’sFolly。\"TheonlydoubtIsufferedfrom，afterthepublicationof\"Almayer’sFolly，\"waswhetherI
shouldwriteanotherlineforprint。Thosedays，nowgrownsodim，hadtheirpoignantmoments。NeitherinmymindnorinmyhearthadIthengivenupthesea。IntruthIwasclingingtoitdesperately，allthemoredesperatelybecause，againstmywill，I
couldnothelpfeelingthattherewassomethingchangedinmyrelationtoit。\"Almayer’sFolly，\"hadbeenfinishedanddonewith。Themooditselfwasgone。Butithadleftthememoryofanexperiencethat，bothinthoughtandemotionwasunconnectedwiththesea，andIsupposethatpartofmymoralbeingwhichisrootedinconsistencywasbadlyshaken。Iwasavictimofcontrarystresseswhichproducedastateofimmobility。Igavemyselfuptoindolence。SinceitwasimpossibleformetofacebothwaysIhadelectedtofacenothing。Thediscoveryofnewvaluesinlifeisaverychaoticexperience；thereisatremendousamountofjostlingandconfusionandamomentaryfeelingofdarkness。Iletmyspiritfloatsupineoverthatchaos。
AphraseofEdwardGarnett’sis，asamatteroffact，responsibleforthisbook。ThefirstofthefriendsImadeformyselfbymypenitwasbutnaturalthatheshouldbetherecipient，atthattime，ofmyconfidences。OneeveningwhenwehaddinedtogetherandhehadlistenedtotheaccountofmyperplexitiesIfearhemusthavebeengrowingalittletiredofthemhepointedoutthattherewasnoneedtodeterminemyfutureabsolutely。Thenheadded:\"Youhavethestyle，youhavethetemperament；whynotwriteanother？\"Ibelievethatasfarasonemanmaywishtoinfluenceanotherman’slifeEdwardGarnetthadagreatdesirethatIshouldgoonwriting。Atthattime，andImaysay，everafterwards，hewasalwaysverypatientandgentlewithme。Whatstrikesmemosthoweverinthephrasequotedabovewhichwasofferedtomeinatoneofdetachmentisnotitsgentlenessbutitseffectivewisdom。Hadhesaid，\"Whynotgoonwriting，\"itisveryprobablehewouldhavescaredmeawayfrompenandinkforever；buttherewasnothingeithertofrightenoneorarouseone’santagonisminthemeresuggestionto\"writeanother。\"Andthusadeadpointintherevolutionofmyaffairswasinsidiouslygotover。Theword\"another\"didit。Atabouteleveno’clockofaniceLondonnight，EdwardandIwalkedalonginterminablestreetstalkingofmanythings，andIrememberthatongettinghomeIsatdownandwroteabouthalfapageof\"AnOutcastoftheIslands\"beforeIslept。Thiswascommittingmyselfdefinitely，Iwon’tsaytoanotherlife，buttoanotherbook。ThereisapparentlysomethinginmycharacterwhichwillnotallowmetoabandonforgoodanypieceofworkIhavebegun。Ihavelaidasidemanybeginnings。Ihavelaidthemasidewithsorrow，withdisgust，withrage，withmelancholyandevenwithself-contempt；
butevenattheworstIhadanuneasyconsciousnessthatIwouldhavetogobacktothem。
\"AnOutcastoftheIslands\"belongstothosenovelsofminethatwereneverlaidaside；andthoughitbroughtmethequalificationof\"exoticwriter\"Idon’tthinkthechargewasatalljustified。
ForthelifeofmeIdon’tseethatthereistheslightestexoticspiritintheconceptionorstyleofthatnovel。ItiscertainlythemostTROPICALofmyeasterntales。ThemerescenerygotagreatholdonmeasIwenton，perhapsbecauseImayjustaswellconfessthatthestoryitselfwasneververynearmyheart。
Itengagedmyimaginationmuchmorethanmyaffection。AstomyfeelingforWillemsitwasbuttheregardonecannothelphavingforone’sowncreation。ObviouslyIcouldnotbeindifferenttoamanonwhoseheadIhadbroughtsomuchevilsimplybyimagininghimsuchasheappearsinthenovel——andthat，too，onaveryslightfoundation。
ThemanwhosuggestedWillemstomewasnotparticularlyinterestinginhimself。Myinterestwasarousedbyhisdependentposition，hisstrange，dubiousstatusofamistrusted，disliked，worn-outEuropeanlivingonthereluctanttolerationofthatSettlementhiddenintheheartoftheforest-land，upthatsombrestreamwhichourshipwastheonlywhitemen’sshiptovisit。
Withhishollow，clean-shavedcheeks，aheavygreymoustacheandeyeswithoutanyexpressionwhatever，cladalwaysinaspotlesssleepingsuitmuchbe-froggedinfront，whichlefthisleanneckwhollyuncovered，andwithhisbarefeetinapairofstrawslippers，hewanderedsilentlyamongstthehousesindaylight，almostasdumbasananimalandapparentlymuchmorehomeless。I
don’tknowwhathedidwithhimselfatnight。Hemusthavehadaplace，ahut，apalm-leafshed，somesortofhovelwherehekepthisrazorandhischangeofsleepingsuits。Anairoffutilemysteryhungoverhim，somethingnotexactlydarkbutobviouslyugly。TheonlydefinitestatementIcouldextractfromanybodywasthatitwashewhohad\"broughttheArabsintotheriver。\"
Thatmusthavehappenedmanyyearsbefore。Buthowdidhebringthemintotheriver？Hecouldhardlyhavedoneitinhisarmslikealotofkittens。IknewthatAlmayerfoundedthechronologyofallhismisfortunesonthedateofthatfatefuladvent；andyettheveryfirsttimewedinedwithAlmayertherewasWillemssittingattablewithusinthemanneroftheskeletonatthefeast，obviouslyshunnedbyeverybody，neveraddressedbyanyone，andforallrecognitionofhisexistencegettingnowandthenfromAlmayeravenomousglancewhichI
observedwithgreatsurprise。InthecourseofthewholeeveningheventuredonesingleremarkwhichIdidn’tcatchbecausehisarticulationwasimperfect，asofamanwhohadforgottenhowtospeak。Iwastheonlypersonwhoseemedawareofthesound。
Willemssubsided。Presentlyheretired，pointedlyunnoticed——intotheforestmaybe？Itsimmensitywasthere，withinthreehundredyardsoftheverandah，readytoswallowupanything。Almayerconversingwithmycaptaindidnotstoptalkingwhileheglaredangrilyattheretreatingback。Didn’tthatfellowbringtheArabsintotheriver！NeverthelessWillemsturnedupnextmorningonAlmayer’sverandah。FromthebridgeofthesteamerIcouldseeplainlythesetwo，breakfastingtogether，teteateteand，Isuppose，indeadsilence，onewithhisairofbeingnolongerinterestedinthisworldandtheotherraisinghiseyesnowandthenwithintensedislike。
ItwasclearthatinthosedaysWillemslivedonAlmayer’scharity。YetonreturningtwomonthslatertoSambirIheardthathehadgoneonanexpeditionuptheriverinchargeofasteam-launchbelongingtotheArabs，tomakesomediscoveryorother。OnaccountofthestrangereluctancethateveryonemanifestedtotalkaboutWillemsitwasimpossibleformetogetattherightsofthattransaction。Moreover，Iwasanewcomer，theyoungestofthecompany，and，Isuspect，notjudgedquitefitasyetforafullconfidence。Iwasnotmuchconcernedaboutthatexclusion。ThefaintsuggestionofplotsandmysteriespertainingtoallmatterstouchingAlmayer’saffairsamusedmevastly。Almayerwasobviouslyverymuchaffected。IbelievehemissedWillemsimmensely。Heworeanairofsinisterpreoccupationandtalkedconfidentiallywithmycaptain。Icouldcatchonlysnatchesofmumbledsentences。ThenonemorningasI
camealongthedecktotakemyplaceatthebreakfasttableAlmayercheckedhimselfinhislow-toneddiscourse。Mycaptain’sfacewasperfectlyimpenetrable。TherewasamomentofprofoundsilenceandthenasifunabletocontainhimselfAlmayerburstoutinaloudvicioustone:
\"Onething’scertain；ifhefindsanythingworthhavinguptheretheywillpoisonhimlikeadog。\"
Disconnectedthoughitwas，thatphrase，asfoodforthought，wasdistinctlyworthhearing。WelefttheriverthreedaysafterwardsandIneverreturnedtoSambir；butwhateverhappenedtotheprotagonistofmyWillemsnobodycandenythatIhaverecordedforhimalesssqualidfate。
J。C。
1919。
PARTI
ANOUTCASTOFTHEISLANDS
CHAPTERONE
Whenhesteppedoffthestraightandnarrowpathofhispeculiarhonesty，itwaswithaninwardassertionofunflinchingresolvetofallbackagainintothemonotonousbutsafestrideofvirtueassoonashislittleexcursionintothewaysidequagmireshadproducedthedesiredeffect。Itwasgoingtobeashortepisode——asentenceinbrackets，sotospeak——intheflowingtaleofhislife:athingofnomoment，tobedoneunwillingly，yetneatly，andtobequicklyforgotten。Heimaginedthathecouldgoonafterwardslookingatthesunshine，enjoyingtheshade，breathingintheperfumeofflowersinthesmallgardenbeforehishouse。Hefanciedthatnothingwouldbechanged，thathewouldbeableasheretoforetotyrannizegood-humouredlyoverhishalf-castewife，tonoticewithtendercontempthispaleyellowchild，topatronizeloftilyhisdark-skinnedbrother-in-law，wholovedpinknecktiesandworepatent-leatherbootsonhislittlefeet，andwassohumblebeforethewhitehusbandoftheluckysister。Thosewerethedelightsofhislife，andhewasunabletoconceivethatthemoralsignificanceofanyactofhiscouldinterferewiththeverynatureofthings，coulddimthelightofthesun，coulddestroytheperfumeoftheflowers，thesubmissionofhiswife，thesmileofhischild，theawe-struckrespectofLeonarddaSouzaandofalltheDaSouzafamily。Thatfamily’sadmirationwasthegreatluxuryofhislife。Itroundedandcompletedhisexistenceinaperpetualassuranceofunquestionablesuperiority。Helovedtobreathethecoarseincensetheyofferedbeforetheshrineofthesuccessfulwhiteman；themanthathaddonethemthehonourtomarrytheirdaughter，sister，cousin；therisingmansuretoclimbveryhigh；
theconfidentialclerkofHudig&Co。Theywereanumerousandanuncleancrowd，livinginruinedbamboohouses，surroundedbyneglectedcompounds，ontheoutskirtsofMacassar。Hekeptthematarm’slengthandevenfurtheroff，perhaps，havingnoillusionsastotheirworth。Theywereahalf-caste，lazylot，andhesawthemastheywere——ragged，lean，unwashed，undersizedmenofvariousages，shufflingaboutaimlesslyinslippers；
motionlessoldwomenwholookedlikemonstrousbagsofpinkcalicostuffedwithshapelesslumpsoffat，anddepositedaskewupondecayingrattanchairsinshadycornersofdustyverandahs；
youngwomen，slimandyellow，big-eyed，long-haired，movinglanguidlyamongstthedirtandrubbishoftheirdwellingsasifeverysteptheytookwasgoingtobetheirverylast。Heheardtheirshrillquarrellings，thesquallingoftheirchildren，thegruntingoftheirpigs；hesmelttheodoursoftheheapsofgarbageintheircourtyards:andhewasgreatlydisgusted。Buthefedandclothedthatshabbymultitude；thosedegeneratedescendantsofPortugueseconquerors；hewastheirprovidence；hekeptthemsinginghispraisesinthemidstoftheirlaziness，oftheirdirt，oftheirimmenseandhopelesssqualor:andhewasgreatlydelighted。Theywantedmuch，buthecouldgivethemalltheywantedwithoutruininghimself。Inexchangehehadtheirsilentfear，theirloquaciouslove，theirnoisyveneration。Itisafinethingtobeaprovidence，andtobetoldsooneverydayofone’slife。Itgivesoneafeelingofenormouslyremotesuperiority，andWillemsrevelledinit。Hedidnotanalyzethestateofhismind，butprobablyhisgreatestdelightlayintheunexpressedbutintimateconvictionthat，shouldheclosehishand，allthoseadmiringhumanbeingswouldstarve。Hismunificencehaddemoralizedthem。Aneasytask。SincehedescendedamongstthemandmarriedJoannatheyhadlostthelittleaptitudeandstrengthforworktheymighthavehadtoputforthunderthestressofextremenecessity。Theylivednowbythegraceofhiswill。Thiswaspower。Willemslovedit。
Inanother，andperhapsalowerplane，hisdaysdidnotwantfortheirlesscomplexbutmoreobviouspleasures。Helikedthesimplegamesofskill——billiards；alsogamesnotsosimple，andcallingforquiteanotherkindofskill——poker。Hehadbeentheaptestpupilofasteady-eyed，sententiousAmerican，whohaddriftedmysteriouslyintoMacassarfromthewastesofthePacific，and，afterknockingaboutforatimeintheeddiesoftownlife，haddriftedoutenigmaticallyintothesunnysolitudesoftheIndianOcean。ThememoryoftheCalifornianstrangerwasperpetuatedinthegameofpoker——whichbecamepopularinthecapitalofCelebesfromthattime——andinapowerfulcocktail，therecipeforwhichistransmitted——intheKwang-tungdialect——fromheadboytoheadboyoftheChineseservantsintheSundaHoteleventothisday。Willemswasaconnoisseurinthedrinkandanadeptatthegame。Ofthoseaccomplishmentshewasmoderatelyproud。OftheconfidencereposedinhimbyHudig——themaster——hewasboastfullyandobtrusivelyproud。Thisarosefromhisgreatbenevolence，andfromanexaltedsenseofhisdutytohimselfandtheworldatlarge。Heexperiencedthatirresistibleimpulsetoimpartinformationwhichisinseparablefromgrossignorance。Thereisalwayssomeonethingwhichtheignorantmanknows，andthatthingistheonlythingworthknowing；itfillstheignorantman’suniverse。Willemsknewallabouthimself。Onthedaywhen，withmanymisgivings，heranawayfromaDutchEast-IndiamaninSamarangroads，hehadcommencedthatstudyofhimself，ofhisownways，ofhisownabilities，ofthosefate-compellingqualitiesofhiswhichledhimtowardthatlucrativepositionwhichhenowfilled。Beingofamodestanddiffidentnature，hissuccessesamazed，almostfrightenedhim，andended——ashegotoverthesucceedingshocksofsurprise——bymakinghimferociouslyconceited。Hebelievedinhisgeniusandinhisknowledgeoftheworld。Othersshouldknowofitalso；
fortheirowngoodandforhisgreaterglory。Allthosefriendlymenwhoslappedhimonthebackandgreetedhimnoisilyshouldhavethebenefitofhisexample。Forthathemusttalk。Hetalkedtothemconscientiously。Intheafternoonheexpoundedhistheoryofsuccessoverthelittletables，dippingnowandthenhismoustacheinthecrushediceofthecocktails；intheeveninghewouldoftenholdforth，cueinhand，toayounglisteneracrossthebilliardtable。Thebilliardballsstoodstillasiflisteningalso，underthevividbrillianceoftheshadedoillampshunglowoverthecloth；whileawayintheshadowsofthebigroomtheChinamanmarkerwouldleanwearilyagainstthewall，theblankmaskofhisfacelookingpaleunderthemahoganymarking-board；hiseyelidsdroppedinthedrowsyfatigueoflatehoursandinthebuzzingmonotonyoftheunintelligiblestreamofwordspouredoutbythewhiteman。Inasuddenpauseofthetalkthegamewouldrecommencewithasharpclickandgoonforatimeintheflowingsoftwhirrandthesubduedthudsastheballsrolledzig-zaggingtowardstheinevitablysuccessfulcannon。
Throughthebigwindowsandtheopendoorsthesaltdampnessofthesea，thevaguesmellofmouldandflowersfromthegardenofthehoteldriftedinandmingledwiththeodouroflampoil，growingheavierasthenightadvanced。Theplayers’headsdivedintothelightastheybentdownforthestroke，springingbackagainsmartlyintothegreenishgloomofbroadlamp-shades；theclocktickedmethodically；theunmovedChinamancontinuouslyrepeatedthescoreinalifelessvoice，likeabigtalkingdoll——andWillemswouldwinthegame。Witharemarkthatitwasgettinglate，andthathewasamarriedman，hewouldsayapatronizinggood-nightandstepoutintothelong，emptystreet。
Atthathouritswhitedustwaslikeadazzlingstreakofmoonlightwheretheeyesoughtreposeinthedimmergleamofrareoillamps。Willemswalkedhomewards，followingthelineofwallsovertoppedbytheluxuriantvegetationofthefrontgardens。Thehousesrightandleftwerehiddenbehindtheblackmassesoffloweringshrubs。Willemshadthestreettohimself。Hewouldwalkinthemiddle，hisshadowglidingobsequiouslybeforehim。
Helookeddownonitcomplacently。Theshadowofasuccessfulman！Hewouldbeslightlydizzywiththecocktailsandwiththeintoxicationofhisownglory。Asheoftentoldpeople，hecameeastfourteenyearsago——acabinboy。Asmallboy。Hisshadowmusthavebeenverysmallatthattime；hethoughtwithasmilethathewasnotawarethenhehadanything——evenashadow——whichhedaredcallhisown。AndnowhewaslookingattheshadowoftheconfidentialclerkofHudig&Co。goinghome。Howglorious！
Howgoodwaslifeforthosethatwereonthewinningside！Hehadwonthegameoflife；alsothegameofbilliards。Hewalkedfaster，jinglinghiswinnings，andthinkingofthewhitestonedaysthathadmarkedthepathofhisexistence。HethoughtofthetriptoLombokforponies——thatfirstimportanttransactionconfidedtohimbyHudig；thenhereviewedthemoreimportantaffairs:thequietdealinopium；theillegaltrafficingunpowder；thegreataffairofsmuggledfirearms，thedifficultbusinessoftheRajahofGoak。Hecarriedthatlastthroughbysheerpluck；hehadbeardedthesavageoldrulerinhiscouncilroom；hehadbribedhimwithagiltglasscoach，which，rumoursaid，wasusedasahen-coopnow；hehadover-persuadedhim；hehadbestedhimineveryway。Thatwasthewaytogeton。Hedisapprovedoftheelementarydishonestythatdipsthehandinthecash-box，butonecouldevadethelawsandpushtheprinciplesoftradetotheirfurthestconsequences。Somecallthatcheating。Thosearethefools，theweak，thecontemptible。
Thewise，thestrong，therespected，havenoscruples。Wheretherearescruplestherecanbenopower。Onthattexthepreachedoftentotheyoungmen。Itwashisdoctrine，andhe，himself，wasashiningexampleofitstruth。
Nightafternighthewenthomethus，afteradayoftoilandpleasure，drunkwiththesoundofhisownvoicecelebratinghisownprosperity。Onhisthirtiethbirthdayhewenthomethus。Hehadspentingoodcompanyanice，noisyevening，and，ashewalkedalongtheemptystreet，thefeelingofhisowngreatnessgrewuponhim，liftedhimabovethewhitedustoftheroad，andfilledhimwithexultationandregrets。Hehadnotdonehimselfjusticeoverthereinthehotel，hehadnottalkedenoughabouthimself，hehadnotimpressedhishearersenough。Nevermind。
Someothertime。Nowhewouldgohomeandmakehiswifegetupandlistentohim。Whyshouldshenotgetup？——andmixacocktailforhim——andlistenpatiently。Justso。Sheshall。IfhewantedhecouldmakealltheDaSouzafamilygetup。Hehadonlytosayawordandtheywouldallcomeandsitsilentlyintheirnightvestmentsonthehard，coldgroundofhiscompoundandlisten，aslongashewishedtogoonexplainingtothemfromthetopofthestairs，howgreatandgoodhewas。Theywould。
However，hiswifewoulddo——forto-night。
Hiswife！Hewincedinwardly。Adismalwomanwithstartledeyesanddolorouslydroopingmouth，thatwouldlistentohiminpainedwonderandmutestillness。Shewasusedtothosenight-discoursesnow。Shehadrebelledonce——atthebeginning。Onlyonce。Now，whilehesprawledinthelongchairanddrankandtalked，shewouldstandatthefurtherendofthetable，herhandsrestingontheedge，herfrightenedeyeswatchinghislips，withoutasound，withoutastir，hardlybreathing，tillhedismissedherwithacontemptuous:\"Gotobed，dummy。\"Shewoulddrawalongbreaththenandtrailoutoftheroom，relievedbutunmoved。Nothingcouldstartleher，makeherscoldormakehercry。Shedidnotcomplain，shedidnotrebel。Thatfirstdifferenceoftheirswasdecisive。Toodecisive，thoughtWillems，discontentedly。Ithadfrightenedthesouloutofherbodyapparently。Adismalwoman！
Adamn’dbusinessaltogether！Whatthedevildidhewanttogoandsaddlehimself……Ah！Well！hewantedahome，andthematchseemedtopleaseHudig，andHudiggavehimthebungalow，thatflower-boweredhousetowhichhewaswendinghiswayinthecoolmoonlight。AndhehadtheworshipoftheDaSouzatribe。A
manofhisstampcouldcarryoffanything，doanything，aspiretoanything。InanotherfiveyearsthosewhitepeoplewhoattendedtheSundaycard-partiesoftheGovernorwouldaccepthim——half-castewifeandall！Hooray！Hesawhisshadowdartforwardandwaveahat，asbigasarumbarrel，attheendofanarmseveralyardslong……Whoshoutedhooray？……Hesmiledshamefacedlytohimself，and，pushinghishandsdeepintohispockets，walkedfasterwithasuddenlygraveface。
Behindhim——totheleft——acigarendglowedinthegatewayofMr。
Vinck’sfrontyard。Leaningagainstoneofthebrickpillars，Mr。Vinck，thecashierofHudig&Co。，smokedthelastcherootoftheevening。AmongsttheshadowsofthetrimmedbushesMrs。
Vinckcrunchedslowly，withmeasuredsteps，thegravelofthecircularpathbeforethehouse。
\"There’sWillemsgoinghomeonfoot——anddrunkIfancy，\"saidMr。
Vinckoverhisshoulder。\"Isawhimjumpandwavehishat。\"
Thecrunchingofthegravelstopped。
\"Horridman，\"saidMrs。Vinck，calmly。\"Ihaveheardhebeatshiswife。\"
\"Ohno，mydear，no，\"mutteredabsentlyMr。Vinck，withavaguegesture。TheaspectofWillemsasawife-beaterpresentedtohimnointerest。Howwomendomisjudge！IfWillemswantedtotorturehiswifehewouldhaverecoursetolessprimitivemethods。Mr。VinckknewWillemswell，andbelievedhimtobeveryable，verysmart——objectionablyso。Ashetookthelastquickdrawsatthestumpofhischeroot，Mr。VinckreflectedthattheconfidenceaccordedbyHudigtoWillemswasopen，underthecircumstances，toloyalcriticismfromHudig’scashier。
\"Heisbecomingdangerous；heknowstoomuch。Hewillhavetobegotridof，\"saidMr。Vinckaloud。ButMrs。Vinckhadgoneinalready，andaftershakinghisheadhethrewawayhischerootandfollowedherslowly。
Willemswalkedonhomewardweavingthesplendidwebofhisfuture。Theroadtogreatnesslayplainlybeforehiseyes，straightandshining，withoutanyobstaclethathecouldsee。Hehadsteppedoffthepathofhonesty，asheunderstoodit，buthewouldsoonregainit，nevertoleaveitanymore！Itwasaverysmallmatter。Hewouldsoonputitrightagain。Meantimehisdutywasnottobefoundout，andhetrustedinhisskill，inhisluck，inhiswell-establishedreputationthatwoulddisarmsuspicionifanybodydaredtosuspect。Butnobodywoulddare！
True，hewasconsciousofaslightdeterioration。HehadappropriatedtemporarilysomeofHudig’smoney。Adeplorablenecessity。Buthejudgedhimselfwiththeindulgencethatshouldbeextendedtotheweaknessesofgenius。Hewouldmakereparationandallwouldbeasbefore；nobodywouldbetheloserforit，andhewouldgoonuncheckedtowardthebrilliantgoalofhisambition。
Hudig’spartner！
Beforegoingupthestepsofhishousehestoodforawhile，hisfeetwellapart，chininhand，contemplatingmentallyHudig’sfuturepartner。Agloriousoccupation。Hesawhimquitesafe；
solidasthehills；deep——deepasanabyss；discreetasthegrave。
CHAPTERTWO
Thesea，perhapsbecauseofitssaltness，roughenstheoutsidebutkeepssweetthekernelofitsservants’soul。Theoldsea；
theseaofmanyyearsago，whoseservantsweredevotedslavesandwentfromyouthtoageortoasuddengravewithoutneedingtoopenthebookoflife，becausetheycouldlookateternityreflectedontheelementthatgavethelifeanddealtthedeath。
Likeabeautifulandunscrupulouswoman，theseaofthepastwasgloriousinitssmiles，irresistibleinitsanger，capricious，enticing，illogical，irresponsible；athingtolove，athingtofear。Itcastaspell，itgavejoy，itlulledgentlyintoboundlessfaith；thenwithquickandcauselessangeritkilled。
Butitscrueltywasredeemedbythecharmofitsinscrutablemystery，bytheimmensityofitspromise，bythesupremewitcheryofitspossiblefavour。Strongmenwithchildlikeheartswerefaithfultoit，werecontenttolivebyitsgrace——todiebyitswill。ThatwastheseabeforethetimewhentheFrenchmindsettheEgyptianmuscleinmotionandproducedadismalbutprofitableditch。Thenagreatpallofsmokesentoutbycountlesssteam-boatswasspreadovertherestlessmirroroftheInfinite。Thehandoftheengineertoredowntheveiloftheterriblebeautyinorderthatgreedyandfaithlesslandlubbersmightpocketdividends。Themysterywasdestroyed。Likeallmysteries，itlivedonlyintheheartsofitsworshippers。Theheartschanged；themenchanged。Theoncelovinganddevotedservantswentoutarmedwithfireandiron，andconqueringthefearoftheirownheartsbecameacalculatingcrowdofcoldandexactingmasters。Theseaofthepastwasanincomparablybeautifulmistress，withinscrutableface，withcruelandpromisingeyes。Theseaofto-dayisaused-updrudge，wrinkledanddefacedbythechurned-upwakesofbrutalpropellers，robbedoftheenslavingcharmofitsvastness，strippedofitsbeauty，ofitsmysteryandofitspromise。
TomLingardwasamaster，alover，aservantofthesea。Theseatookhimyoung，fashionedhimbodyandsoul；gavehimhisfierceaspect，hisloudvoice，hisfearlesseyes，hisstupidlyguilelessheart。Generouslyitgavehimhisabsurdfaithinhimself，hisuniversalloveofcreation，hiswideindulgence，hiscontemptuousseverity，hisstraightforwardsimplicityofmotiveandhonestyofaim。Havingmadehimwhathewas，womanlike，theseaservedhimhumblyandlethimbaskunharmedinthesunshineofitsterriblyuncertainfavour。TomLingardgrewrichontheseaandbythesea。Heloveditwiththeardentaffectionofalover，hemadelightofitwiththeassuranceofperfectmastery，hefeareditwiththewisefearofabraveman，andhetooklibertieswithitasaspoiledchildmightdowithapaternalandgood-naturedogre。Hewasgratefultoit，withthegratitudeofanhonestheart。Hisgreatestpridelayinhisprofoundconvictionofitsfaithfulness——inthedeepsenseofhisunerringknowledgeofitstreachery。
ThelittlebrigFlashwastheinstrumentofLingard’sfortune。
Theycamenorthtogether——bothyoung——outofanAustralianport，andafteraveryfewyearstherewasnotawhitemanintheislands，fromPalembangtoTernate，fromOmbawatoPalawan，thatdidnotknowCaptainTomandhisluckycraft。Hewaslikedforhisrecklessgenerosity，forhisunswervinghonesty，andatfirstwasalittlefearedonaccountofhisviolenttemper。Verysoon，however，theyfoundhimout，andthewordwentroundthatCaptainTom’sfurywaslessdangerousthanmanyaman’ssmile。Heprosperedgreatly。Afterhisfirst——andsuccessful——fightwiththesearobbers，whenherescued，asrumourhadit，theyachtofsomebigwigfromhome，somewheredownCarimataway，hisgreatpopularitybegan。Asyearswentonitgrewapace。Alwaysvisitingout-of-the-wayplacesofthatpartoftheworld，alwaysinsearchofnewmarketsforhiscargoes——notsomuchforprofitasforthepleasureoffindingthem——hesoonbecameknowntotheMalays，andbyhissuccessfulrecklessnessinseveralencounterswithpirates，establishedtheterrorofhisname。Thosewhitemenwithwhomhehadbusiness，andwhonaturallywereonthelook-outforhisweaknesses，couldeasilyseethatitwasenoughtogivehimhisMalaytitletoflatterhimgreatly。Sowhentherewasanythingtobegainedbyit，andsometimesoutofpureandunprofitablegoodnature，theywoulddroptheceremonious\"CaptainLingard\"andaddresshimhalfseriouslyasRajahLaut——theKingoftheSea。
Hecarriedthenamebravelyonhisbroadshoulders。HehadcarrieditmanyyearsalreadywhentheboyWillemsranbarefootedonthedeckoftheshipKosmopolietIV。inSamarangroads，lookingwithinnocenteyesonthestrangeshoreandobjurgatinghisimmediatesurroundingswithblasphemouslips，whilehischildishbrainworkedupontheheroicideaofrunningaway。FromthepoopoftheFlashLingardsawintheearlymorningtheDutchshipgetlumberinglyunderweigh，boundfortheeasternports。
Verylateintheeveningofthesamedayhestoodonthequayofthelandingcanal，readytogoonboardofhisbrig。Thenightwasstarryandclear；thelittlecustom-housebuildingwasshutup，andasthegharrythatbroughthimdowndisappearedupthelongavenueofdustytreesleadingtothetown，Lingardthoughthimselfaloneonthequay。Herouseduphissleepingboat-crewandstoodwaitingforthemtogetready，whenhefeltatugathiscoatandathinvoicesaid，verydistinctly——
\"Englishcaptain。\"
Lingardturnedroundquickly，andwhatseemedtobeaveryleanboyjumpedbackwithcommendableactivity。
\"Whoareyou？Wheredoyouspringfrom？\"askedLingard，instartledsurprise。
Fromasafedistancetheboypointedtowardacargolightermooredtothequay。
\"Beenhidingthere，haveyou？\"saidLingard。\"Well，whatdoyouwant？Speakout，confoundyou。Youdidnotcomeheretoscaremetodeath，forfun，didyou？\"
TheboytriedtoexplaininimperfectEnglish，butverysoonLingardinterruptedhim。
\"Isee，\"heexclaimed，\"youranawayfromthebigshipthatsailedthismorning。Well，whydon’tyougotoyourcountrymenhere？\"
\"Shipgoneonlyalittleway——toSourabaya。Makemegobacktotheship，\"explainedtheboy。
\"Bestthingforyou，\"affirmedLingardwithconviction。
\"No，\"retortedtheboy；\"mewantstophere；notwantgohome。
Getmoneyhere；homenogood。\"
\"Thisbeatsallmygoinga-fishing，\"commentedtheastonishedLingard。\"It’smoneyyouwant？Well！well！Andyouwerenotafraidtorunaway，youbagofbones，you！\"
Theboyintimatedthathewasfrightenedofnothingbutofbeingsentbacktotheship。Lingardlookedathiminmeditativesilence。
\"Comecloser，\"hesaidatlast。Hetooktheboybythechin，andturninguphisfacegavehimasearchinglook。\"Howoldareyou？\"
\"Seventeen。\"
\"There’snotmuchofyouforseventeen。Areyouhungry？\"
\"Alittle。\"
\"Willyoucomewithme，inthatbrigthere？\"
Theboymovedwithoutawordtowardstheboatandscrambledintothebows。
\"Knowshisplace，\"mutteredLingardtohimselfashesteppedheavilyintothesternsheetsandtookuptheyokelines。\"Givewaythere。\"
TheMalayboatcrewlaybacktogether，andthegigsprangawayfromthequayheadingtowardsthebrig’sridinglight。
SuchwasthebeginningofWillems’career。
LingardlearnedinhalfanhourallthattherewasofWillems’
commonplacestory。Fatheroutdoorclerkofsomeship-brokerinRotterdam；motherdead。Theboyquickinlearning，butidleinschool。Thestraitenedcircumstancesinthehousefilledwithsmallbrothersandsisters，sufficientlyclothedandfedbutotherwiserunningwild，whilethedisconsolatewidowertrampedaboutalldayinashabbyovercoatandimperfectbootsonthemuddyquays，andintheeveningpilotedwearilythehalf-intoxicatedforeignskippersamongsttheplacesofcheapdelights，returninghomelate，sickwithtoomuchsmokinganddrinking——forcompany’ssake——withthesemen，whoexpectedsuchattentionsinthewayofbusiness。Thentheofferofthegood-naturedcaptainofKosmopolietIV。，whowaspleasedtodosomethingforthepatientandobligingfellow；youngWillems’
greatjoy，hisstillgreaterdisappointmentwiththeseathatlookedsocharmingfromafar，butprovedsohardandexactingoncloseracquaintance——andthenthisrunningawaybyasuddenimpulse。Theboywashopelesslyatvariancewiththespiritofthesea。Hehadaninstinctivecontemptforthehonestsimplicityofthatworkwhichledtonothinghecaredfor。
Lingardsoonfoundthisout。HeofferedtosendhimhomeinanEnglishship，buttheboybeggedhardtobepermittedtoremain。
Hewroteabeautifulhand，becamesoonperfectinEnglish，wasquickatfigures；andLingardmadehimusefulinthatway。Ashegrewolderhistradinginstinctsdevelopedthemselvesastonishingly，andLingardlefthimoftentotradeinoneislandoranotherwhilehe，himself，madeanintermediatetriptosomeout-of-the-wayplace。OnWillemsexpressingawishtothateffect，LingardlethimenterHudig’sservice。Hefeltalittlesoreatthatabandonmentbecausehehadattachedhimself，inaway，tohisprotege。Stillhewasproudofhim，andspokeupforhimloyally。Atfirstitwas，\"Smartboythat——nevermakeaseamanthough。\"ThenwhenWillemswashelpinginthetradinghereferredtohimas\"thatcleveryoungfellow。\"LaterwhenWillemsbecametheconfidentialagentofHudig，employedinmanyadelicateaffair，thesimple-heartedoldseamanwouldpointanadmiringfingerathisbackandwhispertowhoeverstoodnearatthemoment，\"Long-headedchapthat；deucedlong-headedchap。
Lookathim。ConfidentialmanofoldHudig。Ipickedhimupinaditch，youmaysay，likeastarvedcat。Skinandbone。’PonmywordIdid。AndnowheknowsmorethanIdoaboutislandtrading。Fact。Iamnotjoking。MorethanIdo，\"hewouldrepeat，seriously，withinnocentprideinhishonesteyes。
FromthesafeelevationofhiscommercialsuccessesWillemspatronizedLingard。Hehadalikingforhisbenefactor，notunmixedwithsomedisdainforthecrudedirectnessoftheoldfellow’smethodsofconduct。Therewere，however，certainsidesofLingard’scharacterforwhichWillemsfeltaqualifiedrespect。ThetalkativeseamanknewhowtobesilentoncertainmattersthattoWillemswereveryinteresting。Besides，Lingardwasrich，andthatinitselfwasenoughtocompelWillems’
unwillingadmiration。InhisconfidentialchatswithHudig，WillemsgenerallyalludedtothebenevolentEnglishmanasthe\"luckyoldfool\"inaverydistincttoneofvexation；Hudigwouldgruntanunqualifiedassent，andthenthetwowouldlookateachotherinasuddenimmobilityofpupilsfixedbyastareofunexpressedthought。
\"Youcan’tfindoutwherehegetsallthatindia-rubber，heyWillems？\"Hudigwouldaskatlast，turningawayandbendingoverthepapersonhisdesk。
\"No，Mr。Hudig。Notyet。ButIamtrying，\"wasWillems’
invariablereply，deliveredwitharingofregretfuldeprecation。
\"Try！Alwaystry！Youmaytry！Youthinkyourselfcleverperhaps，\"rumbledonHudig，withoutlookingup。\"Ihavebeentradingwithhimtwenty——thirtyyearsnow。Theoldfox。AndI
havetried。Bah！\"
Hestretchedoutashort，podgylegandcontemplatedthebareinstepandthegrassslipperhangingbythetoes。\"Youcan’tmakehimdrunk？\"hewouldadd，afterapauseofstertorousbreathing。
\"No，Mr。Hudig，Ican’treally，\"protestedWillems，earnestly。
\"Well，don’ttry。Iknowhim。Don’ttry，\"advisedthemaster，and，bendingagainoverhisdesk，hisstaringbloodshoteyesclosetothepaper，hewouldgoontracinglaboriouslywithhisthickfingerstheslimunsteadylettersofhiscorrespondence，whileWillemswaitedrespectfullyforhisfurthergoodpleasurebeforeasking，withgreatdeference——
\"Anyorders，Mr。Hudig？\"
\"Hm！yes。GotoBun-Hinyourselfandseethedollarsofthatpaymentcountedandpacked，andhavethemputonboardthemail-boatforTernate。She’sdueherethisafternoon。\"
\"Yes，Mr。Hudig。\"
\"And，lookhere。Iftheboatislate，leavethecaseinBun-Hin’sgodowntillto-morrow。Sealitup。Eightsealsasusual。Don’ttakeitawaytilltheboatishere。\"
\"No，Mr。Hudig。\"
\"Anddon’tforgetabouttheseopiumcases。It’sforto-night。
Usemyownboatmen。TransshipthemfromtheCarolinetotheArabbarque，\"wentonthemasterinhishoarseundertone。\"Anddon’tyoucometomewithanotherstoryofacasedroppedoverboardlikelasttime，\"headded，withsuddenferocity，lookingupathisconfidentialclerk。
\"No，Mr。Hudig。Iwilltakecare。\"
\"That’sall。Tellthatpigasyougooutthatifhedoesn’tmakethepunkahgoalittlebetterIwillbreakeveryboneinhisbody，\"finishedupHudig，wipinghispurplefacewitharedsilkhandkerchiefnearlyasbigasacounterpane。
NoiselesslyWillemswentout，shuttingcarefullybehindhimthelittlegreendoorthroughwhichhepassedtothewarehouse。
Hudig，peninhand，listenedtohimbullyingthepunkahboywithprofaneviolence，bornofunboundedzealforthemaster’scomfort，beforehereturnedtohiswritingamidtherustlingofpapersflutteringinthewindsentdownbythepunkahthatwavedinwidesweepsabovehishead。
WillemswouldnodfamiliarlytoMr。Vinck，whohadhisdeskclosetothelittledooroftheprivateoffice，andmarchdownthewarehousewithanimportantair。Mr。Vinck——extremedislikelurkingineverywrinkleofhisgentlemanlycountenance——wouldfollowwithhiseyesthewhitefigureflittinginthegloomamongstthepilesofbalesandcasestillitpassedoutthroughthebigarchwayintotheglareofthestreet。
CHAPTERTHREE
TheopportunityandthetemptationweretoomuchforWillems，andunderthepressureofsuddennecessityheabusedthattrustwhichwashispride，theperpetualsignofhisclevernessandaloadtooheavyforhimtocarry。Arunofbadluckatcards，thefailureofasmallspeculationundertakenonhisownaccount，anunexpecteddemandformoneyfromoneoranothermemberoftheDaSouzafamily——andalmostbeforehewaswellawareofithewasoffthepathofhispeculiarhonesty。Itwassuchafaintandill-definedtrackthatittookhimsometimetofindouthowfarhehadstrayedamongstthebramblesofthedangerouswildernesshehadbeenskirtingforsomanyyears，withoutanyotherguidethanhisownconvenienceandthatdoctrineofsuccesswhichhehadfoundforhimselfinthebookoflife——inthoseinterestingchaptersthattheDevilhasbeenpermittedtowriteinit，totestthesharpnessofmen’seyesightandthesteadfastnessoftheirhearts。Foroneshort，darkandsolitarymomenthewasdismayed，buthehadthatcouragethatwillnotscaleheights，yetwillwadebravelythroughthemud——iftherebenootherroad。
Heappliedhimselftothetaskofrestitution，anddevotedhimselftothedutyofnotbeingfoundout。Onhisthirtiethbirthdayhehadalmostaccomplishedthetask——andthedutyhadbeenfaithfullyandcleverlyperformed。Hesawhimselfsafe。
Againhecouldlookhopefullytowardsthegoalofhislegitimateambition。Nobodywoulddaretosuspecthim，andinafewdaystherewouldbenothingtosuspect。Hewaselated。Hedidnotknowthathisprosperityhadtouchedthenitshigh-watermark，andthatthetidewasalreadyontheturn。
Twodaysafterwardsheknew。Mr。Vinck，hearingtherattleofthedoor-handle，jumpedupfromhisdesk——wherehehadbeentremulouslylisteningtotheloudvoicesintheprivateoffice——andburiedhisfaceinthebigsafewithnervoushaste。
ForthelasttimeWillemspassedthroughthelittlegreendoorleadingtoHudig’ssanctum，which，duringthepasthalf-hour，mighthavebeentaken——fromthefiendishnoisewithin——forthecavernofsomewildbeast。Willems’troubledeyestookinthequickimpressionofmenandthingsashecameoutfromtheplaceofhishumiliation。Hesawthescaredexpressionofthepunkahboy；theChinamentellerssittingontheirheelswithunmovablefacesturnedupblanklytowardshimwhiletheirarrestedhandshoveredoverthelittlepilesofbrightguildersrangedonthefloor；Mr。Vinck’sshoulder-bladeswiththefleshyrimsoftworedearsabove。Hesawthelongavenueofgincasesstretchingfromwherehestoodtothearcheddoorwaybeyondwhichhewouldbeabletobreatheperhaps。Athinrope’sendlayacrosshispathandhesawitdistinctly，yetstumbledheavilyoveritasifithadbeenabarofiron。Thenhefoundhimselfinthestreetatlast，butcouldnotfindairenoughtofillhislungs。Hewalkedtowardshishome，gasping。
AsthesoundofHudig’sinsultsthatlingeredinhisearsgrewfainterbythelapseoftime，thefeelingofshamewasreplacedslowlybyapassionofangeragainsthimselfandstillmoreagainstthestupidconcourseofcircumstancesthathaddrivenhimintohisidioticindiscretion。Idioticindiscretion；thatishowhedefinedhisguilttohimself。Couldtherebeanythingworsefromthepointofviewofhisundeniablecleverness？Whatafatalaberrationofanacutemind！Hedidnotrecognizehimselfthere。Hemusthavebeenmad。That’sit。Asuddengustofmadness。Andnowtheworkoflongyearswasdestroyedutterly。
Whatwouldbecomeofhim？
Beforehecouldanswerthatquestionhefoundhimselfinthegardenbeforehishouse，Hudig’sweddinggift。Helookedatitwithavaguesurprisetofinditthere。Hispastwassoutterlygonefromhimthatthedwellingwhichbelongedtoitappearedtohimincongruousstandingthereintact，neat，andcheerfulinthesunshineofthehotafternoon。Thehousewasaprettylittlestructurealldoorsandwindows，surroundedonallsidesbythedeepverandahsupportedonslendercolumnsclothedinthegreenfoliageofcreepers，whichalsofringedtheoverhangingeavesofthehigh-pitchedroof。Slowly，Willemsmountedthedozenstepsthatledtotheverandah。Hepausedateverystep。Hemusttellhiswife。Hefeltfrightenedattheprospect，andhisalarmdismayedhim。Frightenedtofaceher！Nothingcouldgivehimabettermeasureofthegreatnessofthechangearoundhim，andinhim。Anotherman——andanotherlifewiththefaithinhimselfgone。Hecouldnotbeworthmuchifhewasafraidtofacethatwoman。
Hedarednotenterthehousethroughtheopendoorofthedining-room，butstoodirresolutebythelittlework-tablewheretrailedawhitepieceofcalico，withaneedlestuckinit，asiftheworkhadbeenlefthurriedly。Thepink-crestedcockatoostarted，onhisappearance，intoclumsyactivityandbegantoclimblaboriouslyupanddownhisperch，calling\"Joanna\"withindistinctloudnessandapersistentscreechthatprolongedthelastsyllableofthenameasifinapealofinsanelaughter。
Thescreeninthedoorwaymovedgentlyonceortwiceinthebreeze，andeachtimeWillemsstartedslightly，expectinghiswife，butheneverliftedhiseyes，althoughstraininghisearsforthesoundofherfootsteps。Graduallyhelosthimselfinhisthoughts，intheendlessspeculationastothemannerinwhichshewouldreceivehisnews——andhisorders。Inthispreoccupationhealmostforgotthefearofherpresence。Nodoubtshewillcry，shewilllament，shewillbehelplessandfrightenedandpassiveasever。Andhewouldhavetodragthatlimpweightonandonthroughthedarknessofaspoiledlife。
Horrible！Ofcoursehecouldnotabandonherandthechildtocertainmiseryorpossiblestarvation。ThewifeandthechildofWillems。Willemsthesuccessful，thesmart；Willemstheconf……Pah！AndwhatwasWillemsnow？Willemsthe……Hestrangledthehalf-bornthought，andclearedhisthroattostifleagroan。Ah！Won’ttheytalkto-nightinthebilliard-room——hisworld，wherehehadbeenfirst——allthosementowhomhehadbeensosuperciliouslycondescending。Won’ttheytalkwithsurprise，andaffectedregret，andgravefaces，andwisenods。Someofthemowedhimmoney，butheneverpressedanybody。Nothe。
Willems，theprinceofgoodfellows，theycalledhim。Andnowtheywillrejoice，nodoubt，athisdownfall。Acrowdofimbeciles。Inhisabasementhewasyetawareofhissuperiorityoverthosefellows，whoweremerelyhonestorsimplynotfoundoutyet。Acrowdofimbeciles！Heshookhisfistattheevokedimageofhisfriends，andthestartledparrotfluttereditswingsandshriekedindesperatefright。
InashortglanceupwardsWillemssawhiswifecomeroundthecornerofthehouse。Heloweredhiseyelidsquickly，andwaitedsilentlytillshecamenearandstoodontheothersideofthelittletable。Hewouldnotlookatherface，buthecouldseethereddressing-gownheknewsowell。Shetrailedthroughlifeinthatreddressing-gown，withitsrowofdirtybluebowsdownthefront，stained，andhookedonawry；atornflounceatthebottomfollowingherlikeasnakeasshemovedlanguidlyabout，withherhairnegligentlycaughtup，andatangledwispstragglinguntidilydownherback。Hisgazetravelledupwardsfrombowtobow，noticingthosethathungonlybyathread，butitdidnotgobeyondherchin。Helookedatherleanthroat，attheobtrusivecollarbonevisibleinthedisarrayoftheupperpartofherattire。Hesawthethinarmandthebonyhandclaspingthechildshecarried，andhefeltanimmensedistasteforthoseencumbrancesofhislife。Hewaitedforhertosaysomething，butashefelthereyesrestonhiminunbrokensilencehesighedandbegantospeak。
Itwasahardtask。Hespokeslowly，lingeringamongstthememoriesofthisearlylifeinhisreluctancetoconfessthatthiswastheendofitandthebeginningofalesssplendidexistence。Inhisconvictionofhavingmadeherhappinessinthefullsatisfactionofallmaterialwantsheneverdoubtedforamomentthatshewasreadytokeephimcompanyonnomatterhowhardandstonyaroad。Hewasnotelatedbythiscertitude。HehadmarriedhertopleaseHudig，andthegreatnessofhissacrificeoughttohavemadeherhappywithoutanyfurtherexertiononhispart。ShehadyearsofgloryasWillems’wife，andyearsofcomfort，ofloyalcare，andofsuchtendernessasshedeserved。Hehadguardedhercarefullyfromanybodilyhurt；
andofanyothersufferinghehadnoconception。Theassertionofhissuperioritywasonlyanotherbenefitconferredonher。
Allthiswasamatterofcourse，buthetoldherallthissoastobringvividlybeforeherthegreatnessofherloss。Shewassodullofunderstandingthatshewouldnotgraspitelse。Andnowitwasatanend。Theywouldhavetogo。Leavethishouse，leavethisisland，gofarawaywherehewasunknown。TotheEnglishStrait-Settlementsperhaps。Hewouldfindanopeningthereforhisabilities——andjustermentodealwiththanoldHudig。Helaughedbitterly。
\"YouhavethemoneyIleftathomethismorning，Joanna？\"heasked。\"Wewillwantitallnow。\"
Ashespokethosewordshethoughthewasafinefellow。Nothingnewthat。Still，hesurpassedtherehisownexpectations。Hangitall，therearesacredthingsinlife，afterall。Themarriagetiewasoneofthem，andhewasnotthemantobreakit。Thesolidityofhisprinciplescausedhimgreatsatisfaction，buthedidnotcaretolookathiswife，forallthat。Hewaitedforhertospeak。Thenhewouldhavetoconsoleher；tellhernottobeacryingfool；togetreadytogo。Gowhere？How？When？Heshookhishead。Theymustleaveatonce；thatwastheprincipalthing。Hefeltasuddenneedtohurryuphisdeparture。
\"Well，Joanna，\"hesaid，alittleimpatiently——\"don’tstandthereinatrance。Doyouhear？Wemust……\"
Helookedupathiswife，andwhateverhewasgoingtoaddremainedunspoken。Shewasstaringathimwithherbig，slantingeyes，thatseemedtohimtwicetheirnaturalsize。Thechild，itsdirtylittlefacepressedtoitsmother’sshoulder，wassleepingpeacefully。Thedeepsilenceofthehousewasnotbroken，butratheraccentuated，bythelowmutterofthecockatoo，nowverystillonitsperch。AsWillemswaslookingatJoannaherupperlipwasdrawnupononeside，givingtohermelancholyfaceaviciousexpressionaltogethernewtohisexperience。Hesteppedbackinhissurprise。
\"Oh！Yougreatman！\"shesaiddistinctly，butinavoicethatwashardlyaboveawhisper。
Thosewords，andstillmorehertone，stunnedhimasifsomebodyhadfiredagunclosetohisear。Hestaredbackatherstupidly。
\"Oh！yougreatman！\"sherepeatedslowly，glancingrightandleftasifmeditatingasuddenescape。\"AndyouthinkthatIamgoingtostarvewithyou。Youarenobodynow。YouthinkmymammaandLeonardwouldletmegoaway？Andwithyou！Withyou，\"sherepeatedscornfully，raisinghervoice，whichwokeupthechildandcausedittowhimperfeebly。
\"Joanna！\"exclaimedWillems。
\"Donotspeaktome。IhaveheardwhatIhavewaitedforalltheseyears。Youarelessthandirt，youthathavewipedyourfeetonme。Ihavewaitedforthis。Iamnotafraidnow。Idonotwantyou；donotcomenearme。Ah-h！\"shescreamedshrilly，asheheldouthishandinanentreatinggesture——\"Ah！Keepoffme！Keepoffme！Keepoff！\"
Shebackedaway，lookingathimwitheyesbothangryandfrightened。Willemsstaredmotionless，indumbamazementatthemysteryofangerandrevoltintheheadofhiswife。Why？Whathadheeverdonetoher？Thiswasthedayofinjusticeindeed。
FirstHudig——andnowhiswife。Hefeltaterroratthishatethathadlivedstealthilysonearhimforyears。Hetriedtospeak，butsheshriekedagain，anditwaslikeaneedlethroughhisheart。Againheraisedhishand。
\"Help！\"calledMrs。Willems，inapiercingvoice。\"Help！\"
\"Bequiet！Youfool！\"shoutedWillems，tryingtodrownthenoiseofhiswifeandchildinhisownangryaccentsandrattlingviolentlythelittlezinctableinhisexasperation。
Fromunderthehouse，wheretherewerebathroomsandatoolcloset，appearedLeonard，arustyironbarinhishand。Hecalledthreateninglyfromthebottomofthestairs。
\"Donothurther，Mr。Willems。Youareasavage。Notatalllikewe，whites。\"
\"Youtoo！\"saidthebewilderedWillems。\"Ihaven’ttouchedher。
Isthisamadhouse？\"Hemovedtowardsthestairs，andLeonarddroppedthebarwithaclangandmadeforthegateofthecompound。Willemsturnedbacktohiswife。
\"Soyouexpectedthis，\"hesaid。\"Itisaconspiracy。Who’sthatsobbingandgroaningintheroom？Somemoreofyourpreciousfamily。Hey？\"
Shewasmorecalmnow，andputtinghastilythecryingchildinthebigchairwalkedtowardshimwithsuddenfearlessness。
\"Mymother，\"shesaid，\"mymotherwhocametodefendmefromyou——manfromnowhere；avagabond！\"
\"Youdidnotcallmeavagabondwhenyouhungroundmyneck——beforeweweremarried，\"saidWillems，contemptuously。
\"YoutookgoodcarethatIshouldnothangroundyourneckafterwewere，\"sheanswered，clenchingherhands，andputtingherfaceclosetohis。\"YouboastedwhileIsufferedandsaidnothing。
Whathasbecomeofyourgreatness；ofourgreatness——youwerealwaysspeakingabout？NowIamgoingtoliveonthecharityofyourmaster。Yes。Thatistrue。HesentLeonardtotellmeso。
Andyouwillgoandboastsomewhereelse，andstarve。So！Ah！
Icanbreathenow！Thishouseismine。\"
\"Enough！\"saidWillems，slowly，withanarrestinggesture。
Sheleapedback，thefrightagaininhereyes，snatchedupthechild，pressedittoherbreast，and，fallingintoachair，drummedinsanelywithherheelsontheresoundingflooroftheverandah。
\"Ishallgo，\"saidWillems，steadily。\"Ithankyou。Forthefirsttimeinyourlifeyoumakemehappy。Youwereastoneroundmyneck；youunderstand。Ididnotmeantotellyouthataslongasyoulived，butyoumademe——now。BeforeIpassthisgateyoushallbegonefrommymind。Youmadeitveryeasy。I
thankyou。\"
Heturnedandwentdownthestepswithoutgivingheraglance，whileshesatuprightandquiet，withwide-openeyes，thechildcryingquerulouslyinherarms。AtthegatehecamesuddenlyuponLeonard，whohadbeendodgingaboutthereandfailedtogetoutofthewayintime。
\"Donotbebrutal，Mr。Willems，\"saidLeonard，hurriedly。\"Itisunbecomingbetweenwhitemenwithallthosenativeslookingon。\"
Leonard’slegstrembledverymuch，andhisvoicewaveredbetweenhighandlowtoneswithoutanyattemptatcontrolonhispart。
\"Restrainyourimproperviolence，\"hewentonmumblingrapidly。
\"Iamarespectablemanofverygoodfamily，whileyou……itisregrettable……theyallsayso……\"
\"What？\"thunderedWillems。Hefeltasuddenimpulseofmadanger，andbeforeheknewwhathadhappenedhewaslookingatLeonarddaSouzarollinginthedustathisfeet。Hesteppedoverhisprostratebrother-in-lawandtoreblindlydownthestreet，everybodymakingwayforthefranticwhiteman。
Whenhecametohimselfhewasbeyondtheoutskirtsofthetown，stumblingonthehardandcrackedearthofreapedricefields。
Howdidhegetthere？Itwasdark。Hemustgetback。Ashewalkedtowardsthetownslowly，hismindreviewedtheeventsofthedayandhefeltasenseofbitterloneliness。Hiswifehadturnedhimoutofhisownhouse。Hehadassaultedbrutallyhisbrother-in-law，amemberoftheDaSouzafamily——ofthatbandofhisworshippers。Hedid。Well，no！Itwassomeotherman。
Anothermanwascomingback。Amanwithoutapast，withoutafuture，yetfullofpainandshameandanger。Hestoppedandlookedround。Adogortwoglidedacrosstheemptystreetandrushedpasthimwithafrightenedsnarl。HewasnowinthemidstoftheMalayquarterwhosebamboohouses，hiddenintheverdureoftheirlittlegardens，weredarkandsilent。Men，womenandchildrensleptinthere。Humanbeings。Wouldheeversleep，andwhere？Hefeltasifhewastheoutcastofallmankind，andashelookedhopelesslyround，beforeresuminghiswearymarch，itseemedtohimthattheworldwasbigger，thenightmorevastandmoreblack；buthewentondoggedlywithhisheaddownasifpushinghiswaythroughsomethickbrambles。Thensuddenlyhefeltplanksunderhisfeetand，lookingup，sawtheredlightattheendofthejetty。Hewalkedquitetotheendandstoodleaningagainstthepost，underthelamp，lookingattheroadsteadwheretwovesselsatanchorswayedtheirslenderriggingamongstthestars。Theendofthejetty；andhereinonestepmoretheendoflife；theendofeverything。Betterso。
Whatelsecouldhedo？Nothingevercomesback。Hesawitclearly。Therespectandadmirationofthemall，theoldhabitsandoldaffectionsfinishedabruptlyintheclearperceptionofthecauseofhisdisgrace。Hesawallthis；andforatimehecameoutofhimself，outofhisselfishness——outoftheconstantpreoccupationofhisinterestsandhisdesires——outofthetempleofselfandtheconcentrationofpersonalthought。
Histhoughtsnowwanderedhome。Standinginthetepidstillnessofastarrytropicalnighthefeltthebreathofthebittereastwind，hesawthehighandnarrowfrontsoftallhousesunderthegloomofacloudedsky；andonmuddyquayshesawtheshabby，high-shoulderedfigure——thepatient，fadedfaceofthewearymanearningbreadforthechildrenthatwaitedforhiminadingyhome。Itwasmiserable，miserable。Butitwouldnevercomeback。WhatwasthereincommonbetweenthosethingsandWillemstheclever，Willemsthesuccessful。Hehadcuthimselfadriftfromthathomemanyyearsago。Betterforhimthen。Betterforthemnow。Allthiswasgone，nevertocomebackagain；andsuddenlyheshivered，seeinghimselfaloneinthepresenceofunknownandterribledangers。
Forthefirsttimeinhislifehefeltafraidofthefuture，becausehehadlosthisfaith，thefaithinhisownsuccess。Andhehaddestroyeditfoolishlywithhisownhands！