CHAPTERI
\"Kaspar!Makan!\"
Thewell-knownshrillvoicestartledAlmayerfromhisdreamofsplendidfutureintotheunpleasantrealitiesofthepresenthour。Anunpleasantvoicetoo。Hehadhearditformanyyears,andwitheveryyearhelikeditless。Nomatter;therewouldbeanendtoallthissoon。
Heshuffleduneasily,buttooknofurthernoticeofthecall。
Leaningwithbothhiselbowsonthebalustradeoftheverandah,hewentonlookingfixedlyatthegreatriverthatflowed——
indifferentandhurried——beforehiseyes。Helikedtolookatitaboutthetimeofsunset;perhapsbecauseatthattimethesinkingsunwouldspreadaglowinggoldtingeonthewatersofthePantai,andAlmayer\'sthoughtswereoftenbusywithgold;
goldhehadfailedtosecure;goldtheothershadsecured——
dishonestly,ofcourse——orgoldhemeanttosecureyet,throughhisownhonestexertions,forhimselfandNina。Heabsorbedhimselfinhisdreamofwealthandpowerawayfromthiscoastwherehehaddweltforsomanyyears,forgettingthebitternessoftoilandstrifeinthevisionofagreatandsplendidreward。
TheywouldliveinEurope,heandhisdaughter。Theywouldberichandrespected。Nobodywouldthinkofhermixedbloodinthepresenceofhergreatbeautyandofhisimmensewealth。
Witnessinghertriumphshewouldgrowyoungagain,hewouldforgetthetwenty-fiveyearsofheart-breakingstruggleonthiscoastwherehefeltlikeaprisoner。Allthiswasnearlywithinhisreach。LetonlyDainreturn!Andreturnsoonhemust——inhisowninterest,forhisownshare。Hewasnowmorethanaweeklate!Perhapshewouldreturnto-night。SuchwereAlmayer\'sthoughtsas,standingontheverandahofhisnewbutalreadydecayinghouse——thatlastfailureofhislife——helookedonthebroadriver。Therewasnotingeofgoldonitthisevening,forithadbeenswollenbytherains,androlledanangryandmuddyfloodunderhisinattentiveeyes,carryingsmalldrift-woodandbigdeadlogs,andwholeuprootedtreeswithbranchesandfoliage,amongstwhichthewaterswirledandroaredangrily。
Oneofthosedriftingtreesgroundedontheshelvingshore,justbythehouse,andAlmayer,neglectinghisdream,watcheditwithlanguidinterest。Thetreeswungslowlyround,amidthehissandfoamofthewater,andsoongettingfreeoftheobstructionbegantomovedownstreamagain,rollingslowlyover,raisingupwardsalong,denudedbranch,likeahandliftedinmuteappealtoheavenagainsttheriver\'sbrutalandunnecessaryviolence。Almayer\'sinterestinthefateofthattreeincreasedrapidly。Heleanedovertoseeifitwouldclearthelowpointbelow。Itdid;thenhedrewback,thinkingthatnowitscoursewasfreedowntothesea,andheenviedthelotofthatinanimatethingnowgrowingsmallandindistinctinthedeepeningdarkness。Ashelostsightofitaltogetherhebegantowonderhowfarouttoseaitwoulddrift。Wouldthecurrentcarryitnorthorsouth?South,probably,tillitdriftedinsightofCelebes,asfarasMacassar,perhaps!
Macassar!Almayer\'squickenedfancydistancedthetreeonitsimaginaryvoyage,buthismemorylaggingbehindsometwentyyearsormoreinpointoftimesawayoungandslimAlmayer,cladallinwhiteandmodest-looking,landingfromtheDutchmail-boatonthedustyjettyofMacassar,comingtowoofortuneinthegodownsofoldHudig。Itwasanimportantepochinhislife,thebeginningofanewexistenceforhim。Hisfather,asubordinateofficialemployedintheBotanicalGardensofBuitenzorg,wasnodoubtdelightedtoplacehissoninsuchafirm。TheyoungmanhimselftoowasnothinglothtoleavethepoisonousshoresofJava,andthemeagrecomfortsoftheparentalbungalow,wherethefathergrumbledalldayatthestupidityofnativegardeners,andthemotherfromthedepthsofherlongeasy-chairbewailedthelostgloriesofAmsterdam,whereshehadbeenbroughtup,andofherpositionasthedaughterofacigardealerthere。
Almayerhadlefthishomewithalightheartandalighterpocket,speakingEnglishwell,andstronginarithmetic;readytoconquertheworld,neverdoubtingthathewould。
Afterthosetwentyyears,standinginthecloseandstiflingheatofaBorneanevening,herecalledwithpleasurableregrettheimageofHudig\'sloftyandcoolwarehouseswiththeirlongandstraightavenuesofgincasesandbalesofManchestergoods;thebigdoorswingingnoiselessly;thedimlightoftheplace,sodelightfulaftertheglareofthestreets;thelittlerailed-offspacesamongstpilesofmerchandisewheretheChineseclerks,neat,cool,andsad-eyed,wroterapidlyandinsilenceamidstthedinoftheworkinggangsrollingcasksorshiftingcasestoamutteredsong,endingwithadesperateyell。Attheupperend,facingthegreatdoor,therewasalargerspacerailedoff,welllighted;therethenoisewassubduedbydistance,andaboveitrosethesoftandcontinuousclinkofsilverguilderswhichotherdiscreetChinamenwerecountingandpilingupunderthesupervisionofMr。Vinck,thecashier,thegeniuspresidingintheplace——therighthandoftheMaster。
InthatclearspaceAlmayerworkedathistablenotfarfromalittlegreenpainteddoor,bywhichalwaysstoodaMalayinaredsashandturban,andwhosehand,holdingasmallstringdanglingfromabove,movedupanddownwiththeregularityofamachine。
Thestringworkedapunkahontheothersideofthegreendoor,wheretheso-calledprivateofficewas,andwhereoldHudig——theMaster——satenthroned,holdingnoisyreceptions。Sometimesthelittledoorwouldflyopendisclosingtotheouterworld,throughthebluishhazeoftobaccosmoke,alongtableloadedwithbottlesofvariousshapesandtallwater-pitchers,rattaneasy-chairsoccupiedbynoisymeninsprawlingattitudes,whiletheMasterwouldputhisheadthroughand,holdingbythehandle,wouldgruntconfidentiallytoVinck;perhapssendanorderthunderingdownthewarehouse,orspyahesitatingstrangerandgreethimwithafriendlyroar,\"Welgome,Gapitan!ver\'yougomevrom?Bali,eh?Gotbonies?Ivantbonies!Vantallyougot;
ha!ha!ha!Gomein!\"Thenthestrangerwasdraggedin,inatempestofyells,thedoorwasshut,andtheusualnoisesrefilledtheplace;thesongoftheworkmen,therumbleofbarrels,thescratchofrapidpens;whileaboveallrosethemusicalchinkofbroadsilverpiecesstreamingceaselesslythroughtheyellowfingersoftheattentiveChinamen。
AtthattimeMacassarwasteemingwithlifeandcommerce。Itwasthepointintheislandswheretendedallthoseboldspiritswho,fittingoutschoonersontheAustraliancoast,invadedtheMalayArchipelagoinsearchofmoneyandadventure。Bold,reckless,keeninbusiness,notdisinclinedforabrushwiththepiratesthatweretobefoundonmanyacoastasyet,makingmoneyfast,theyusedtohaveageneral\"rendezvous\"inthebayforpurposesoftradeanddissipation。TheDutchmerchantscalledthosemenEnglishpedlars;someofthemwereundoubtedlygentlemenforwhomthatkindoflifehadacharm;mostwereseamen;theacknowledgedkingofthemallwasTomLingard,hewhomtheMalays,honestordishonest,quietfishermenordesperatecut-throats,recognisedas\"theRajah-Laut\"——theKingoftheSea。
AlmayerhadheardofhimbeforehehadbeenthreedaysinMacassar,hadheardthestoriesofhissmartbusinesstransactions,hisloves,andalsoofhisdesperatefightswiththeSulupirates,togetherwiththeromantictaleofsomechild——
agirl——foundinapiraticalpraubythevictoriousLingard,when,afteralongcontest,heboardedthecraft,drivingthecrewoverboard。Thisgirl,itwasgenerallyknown,Lingardhadadopted,washavinghereducatedinsomeconventinJava,andspokeofheras\"mydaughter。\"Hehadswornamightyoathtomarryhertoawhitemanbeforehewenthomeandtoleaveherallhismoney。\"AndCaptainLingardhaslotsofmoney,\"wouldsayMr。Vincksolemnly,withhisheadononeside,\"lotsofmoney;
morethanHudig!\"Andafterapause——justtolethishearersrecoverfromtheirastonishmentatsuchanincredibleassertion——
hewouldaddinanexplanatorywhisper,\"Youknow,hehasdiscoveredariver。\"
Thatwasit!Hehaddiscoveredariver!ThatwasthefactplacingoldLingardsomuchabovethecommoncrowdofsea-goingadventurerswhotradedwithHudiginthedaytimeanddrankchampagne,gambled,sangnoisysongs,andmadelovetohalf-castegirlsunderthebroadverandahoftheSundaHotelatnight。Intothatriver,whoseentranceshimselfonlyknew,LingardusedtotakehisassortedcargoofManchestergoods,brassgongs,riflesandgunpowder。HisbrigFlash,whichhecommandedhimself,wouldonthoseoccasionsdisappearquietlyduringthenightfromtheroadsteadwhilehiscompanionsweresleepingofftheeffectsofthemidnightcarouse,Lingardseeingthemdrunkunderthetablebeforegoingonboard,himselfunaffectedbyanyamountofliquor。Manytriedtofollowhimandfindthatlandofplentyforgutta-perchaandrattans,pearlshellsandbirds\'nests,waxandgum-dammar,butthelittleFlashcouldoutsaileverycraftinthoseseas。Afewofthemcametogriefonhiddensandbanksandcoralreefs,losingtheirallandbarelyescapingwithlifefromthecruelgripofthissunnyandsmilingsea;othersgotdiscouraged;andformanyyearsthegreenandpeaceful-lookingislandsguardingtheentrancestothepromisedlandkepttheirsecretwithallthemercilessserenityoftropicalnature。AndsoLingardcameandwentonhissecretoropenexpeditions,becomingaheroinAlmayer\'seyesbytheboldnessandenormousprofitsofhisventures,seemingtoAlmayeraverygreatmanindeedashesawhimmarchingupthewarehouse,gruntinga\"howareyou?\"toVinck,orgreetingHudig,theMaster,withaboisterous\"Hallo,oldpirate!Aliveyet?\"asapreliminarytotransactingbusinessbehindthelittlegreendoor。Oftenofanevening,inthesilenceofthethendesertedwarehouse,AlmayerputtingawayhispapersbeforedrivinghomewithMr。Vinck,inwhosehouseholdhelived,wouldpauselisteningtothenoiseofahotdiscussionintheprivateoffice,wouldhearthedeepandmonotonousgrowloftheMaster,andtheroared-outinterruptionsofLingard——twomastiffsfightingoveramarrowybone。ButtoAlmayer\'searsitsoundedlikeaquarrelofTitans——abattleofthegods。
AfterayearorsoLingard,havingbeenbroughtoftenincontactwithAlmayerinthecourseofbusiness,tookasuddenand,totheonlookers,aratherinexplicablefancytotheyoungman。Hesanghispraises,lateatnight,overaconvivialglasstohiscroniesintheSundaHotel,andonefinemorningelectrifiedVinckbydeclaringthathemusthave\"thatyoungfellowforasupercargo。
Kindofcaptain\'sclerk。Doallmyquill-drivingforme。\"
Hudigconsented。Almayer,withyouth\'snaturalcravingforchange,wasnothingloth,andpackinghisfewbelongings,startedintheFlashononeofthoselongcruiseswhentheoldseamanwaswonttovisitalmosteveryislandinthearchipelago。Monthsslippedby,andLingard\'sfriendshipseemedtoincrease。OftenpacingthedeckwithAlmayer,whenthefaintnightbreeze,heavywitharomaticexhalationsoftheislands,shovedthebriggentlyalongunderthepeacefulandsparklingsky,didtheoldseamanopenhishearttohisentrancedlistener。Hespokeofhispastlife,ofescapeddangers,ofbigprofitsinhistrade,ofnewcombinationsthatwereinthefuturetobringprofitsbiggerstill。Oftenhehadmentionedhisdaughter,thegirlfoundinthepirateprau,speakingofherwithastrangeassumptionoffatherlytenderness。
\"Shemustbeabiggirlnow,\"heusedtosay。\"It\'snighuntofouryearssinceIhaveseenher!Damme,Almayer,ifIdon\'tthinkwewillrunintoSourabayathistrip。\"Andaftersuchadeclarationhealwaysdivedintohiscabinmutteringtohimself,\"Somethingmustbedone——mustbedone。\"MorethanoncehewouldastonishAlmayerbywalkinguptohimrapidly,clearinghisthroatwithapowerful\"Hem!\"asifhewasgoingtosaysomething,andthenturningabruptlyawaytoleanoverthebulwarksinsilence,andwatch,motionless,forhours,thegleamandsparkleofthephosphorescentseaalongtheship\'sside。ItwasthenightbeforearrivinginSourabayawhenoneofthoseattemptsatconfidentialcommunicationsucceeded。Afterclearinghisthroathespoke。Hespoketosomepurpose。HewantedAlmayertomarryhisadopteddaughter。\"Anddon\'tyoukickbecauseyou\'rewhite!\"heshouted,suddenly,notgivingthesurprisedyoungmanthetimetosayaword。\"Noneofthatwithme!Nobodywillseethecolourofyourwife\'sskin。Thedollarsaretoothickforthat,Itellyou!Andmindyou,theywillbethickeryetbeforeIdie。Therewillbemillions,Kaspar!
MillionsIsay!Andallforher——andforyou,ifyoudowhatyouaretold。\"
Startledbytheunexpectedproposal,Almayerhesitated,andremainedsilentforaminute。Hewasgiftedwithastrongandactiveimagination,andinthatshortspaceoftimehesaw,asinaflashofdazzlinglight,greatpilesofshiningguilders,andrealisedallthepossibilitiesofanopulentexistence。Theconsideration,theindolenteaseoflife——forwhichhefelthimselfsowellfitted——hisships,hiswarehouses,hismerchandise(oldLingardwouldnotliveforever),and,crowningall,inthefarfuturegleamedlikeafairypalacethebigmansioninAmsterdam,thatearthlyparadiseofhisdreams,where,madekingamongstmenbyoldLingard\'smoney,hewouldpasstheeveningofhisdaysininexpressiblesplendour。Astotheothersideofthepicture——thecompanionshipforlifeofaMalaygirl,thatlegacyofaboatfulofpirates——therewasonlywithinhimaconfusedconsciousnessofshamethatheawhiteman——Still,aconventeducationoffouryears!——andthenshemaymercifullydie。Hewasalwayslucky,andmoneyispowerful!Gothroughit。
Whynot?Hehadavagueideaofshuttingherupsomewhere,anywhere,outofhisgorgeousfuture。EasyenoughtodisposeofaMalaywoman,aslave,afterall,tohisEasternmind,conventornoconvent,ceremonyornoceremony。
Heliftedhisheadandconfrontedtheanxiousyetirateseaman。
\"I——ofcourse——anythingyouwish,CaptainLingard。\"
\"Callmefather,myboy。Shedoes,\"saidthemollifiedoldadventurer。\"Damme,though,ifIdidn\'tthinkyouweregoingtorefuse。Mindyou,Kaspar,Ialwaysgetmyway,soitwouldhavebeennouse。Butyouarenofool。\"
Herememberedwellthattime——thelook,theaccent,thewords,theeffecttheyproducedonhim,hisverysurroundings。Herememberedthenarrowslantingdeckofthebrig,thesilentsleepingcoast,thesmoothblacksurfaceoftheseawithagreatbarofgoldlaidonitbytherisingmoon。Heremembereditall,andherememberedhisfeelingsofmadexultationatthethoughtofthatfortunethrownintohishands。Hewasnofoolthen,andhewasnofoolnow。Circumstanceshadbeenagainsthim;thefortunewasgone,buthoperemained。
Heshiveredinthenightair,andsuddenlybecameawareoftheintensedarknesswhich,onthesun\'sdeparture,hadclosedinupontheriver,blottingouttheoutlinesoftheoppositeshore。
OnlythefireofdrybrancheslitoutsidethestockadeoftheRajah\'scompoundcalledfitfullyintoviewtheraggedtrunksofthesurroundingtrees,puttingastainofglowingredhalf-wayacrosstheriverwherethedriftinglogswerehurryingtowardstheseathroughtheimpenetrablegloom。Hehadahazyrecollectionofhavingbeencalledsometimeduringtheeveningbyhiswife。Tohisdinnerprobably。Butamanbusycontemplatingthewreckageofhispastinthedawnofnewhopescannotbehungrywheneverhisriceisready。Timehewenthome,though;itwasgettinglate。
Hesteppedcautiouslyonthelooseplankstowardstheladder。
A
lizard,disturbedbythenoise,emittedaplaintivenoteandscurriedthroughthelonggrassgrowingonthebank。Almayerdescendedtheladdercarefully,nowthoroughlyrecalledtotherealitiesoflifebythecarenecessarytopreventafallontheunevengroundwherethestones,decayingplanks,andhalf-sawnbeamswerepiledupininextricableconfusion。Asheturnedtowardsthehousewherehelived——\"myoldhouse\"hecalledit——
hiseardetectedthesplashofpaddlesawayinthedarknessoftheriver。Hestoodstillinthepath,attentiveandsurprisedatanybodybeingontheriveratthislatehourduringsuchaheavyfreshet。Nowhecouldhearthepaddlesdistinctly,andevenarapidlyexchangedwordinlowtones,theheavybreathingofmenfightingwiththecurrent,andhuggingthebankonwhichhestood。Quiteclose,too,butitwastoodarktodistinguishanythingundertheoverhangingbushes。
\"Arabs,nodoubt,\"mutteredAlmayertohimself,peeringintothesolidblackness。\"Whataretheyuptonow?SomeofAbdulla\'sbusiness;cursehim!\"
Theboatwasveryclosenow。
\"Oh,ya!Man!\"hailedAlmayer。
Thesoundofvoicesceased,butthepaddlesworkedasfuriouslyasbefore。ThenthebushinfrontofAlmayershook,andthesharpsoundofthepaddlesfallingintothecanoeranginthequietnight。Theywereholdingontothebushnow;butAlmayercouldhardlymakeoutanindistinctdarkshapeofaman\'sheadandshouldersabovethebank。
\"YouAbdulla?\"saidAlmayer,doubtfully。
Agravevoiceanswered——
\"TuanAlmayerisspeakingtoafriend。ThereisnoArabhere。\"
Almayer\'sheartgaveagreatleap。
\"Dain!\"heexclaimed。\"Atlast!atlast!Ihavebeenwaitingforyoueverydayandeverynight。Ihadnearlygivenyouup。\"
\"Nothingcouldhavestoppedmefromcomingbackhere,\"saidtheother,almostviolently。\"Notevendeath,\"hewhisperedtohimself。
\"Thisisafriend\'stalk,andisverygood,\"saidAlmayer,heartily。\"Butyouaretoofarhere。Dropdowntothejettyandletyourmencooktheirriceinmycampongwhilewetalkinthehouse。\"
Therewasnoanswertothatinvitation。
\"Whatisit?\"askedAlmayer,uneasily。\"Thereisnothingwrongwiththebrig,Ihope?\"
\"ThebrigiswherenoOrangBlandacanlayhishandsonher,\"
saidDain,withagloomytoneinhisvoice,whichAlmayer,inhiselation,failedtonotice。
\"Right,\"hesaid。\"Butwhereareallyourmen?Thereareonlytwowithyou。\"
\"Listen,TuanAlmayer,\"saidDain。\"To-morrow\'ssunshallseemeinyourhouse,andthenwewilltalk。NowImustgototheRajah。\"
\"TotheRajah!Why?WhatdoyouwantwithLakamba?\"
\"Tuan,to-morrowwetalklikefriends。ImustseeLakambato-night。\"
\"Dain,youarenotgoingtoabandonmenow,whenallisready?\"
askedAlmayer,inapleadingvoice。
\"HaveInotreturned?ButImustseeLakambafirstforyourgoodandmine。\"
Theshadowyheaddisappearedabruptly。Thebush,releasedfromthegraspofthebowman,sprungbackwithaswish,scatteringashowerofmuddywateroverAlmayer,ashebentforward,tryingtosee。
Inalittlewhilethecanoeshotintothestreakoflightthatstreamedontheriverfromthebigfireontheoppositeshore,disclosingtheoutlineoftwomenbendingtotheirwork,andathirdfigureinthesternflourishingthesteeringpaddle,hisheadcoveredwithanenormousroundhat,likeafantasticallyexaggeratedmushroom。
Almayerwatchedthecanoetillitpassedoutofthelineoflight。Shortlyafterthemurmurofmanyvoicesreachedhimacrossthewater。Hecouldseethetorchesbeingsnatchedoutoftheburningpile,andrenderingvisibleforamomentthegateinthestockaderoundwhichtheycrowded。Thentheywentinapparently。Thetorchesdisappeared,andthescatteredfiresentoutonlyadimandfitfulglare。
Almayersteppedhomewardswithlongstridesandminduneasy。
SurelyDainwasnotthinkingofplayinghimfalse。Itwasabsurd。DainandLakambawerebothtoomuchinterestedinthesuccessofhisscheme。TrustingtoMalayswaspoorwork;butthenevenMalayshavesomesenseandunderstandtheirowninterest。Allwouldbewell——mustbewell。Atthispointinhismeditationhefoundhimselfatthefootofthestepsleadingtotheverandahofhishome。Fromthelowpointoflandwherehestoodhecouldseebothbranchesoftheriver。ThemainbranchofthePantaiwaslostincompletedarkness,forthefireattheRajah\'shadgoneoutaltogether;butuptheSambirreachhiseyecouldfollowthelonglineofMalayhousescrowdingthebank,withhereandthereadimlighttwinklingthroughbamboowalls,orasmokytorchburningontheplatformsbuiltoutovertheriver。Furtheraway,wheretheislandendedinalowcliff,roseadarkmassofbuildingstoweringabovetheMalaystructures。
Foundedsolidlyonafirmgroundwithplentyofspace,starredbymanylightsburningstrongandwhite,withasuggestionofparaffinandlamp-glasses,stoodthehouseandthegodownsofAbdullabinSelim,thegreattraderofSambir。ToAlmayerthesightwasverydistasteful,andheshookhisfisttowardsthebuildingsthatintheirevidentprosperitylookedtohimcoldandinsolent,andcontemptuousofhisownfallenfortunes。
Hemountedthestepsofhishouseslowly。
Inthemiddleoftheverandahtherewasaroundtable。Onitaparaffinlampwithoutaglobeshedahardglareonthethreeinnersides。Thefourthsidewasopen,andfacedtheriver。
Betweentheroughsupportsofthehigh-pitchedroofhungtornrattanscreens。Therewasnoceiling,andtheharshbrillianceofthelampwastonedaboveintoasofthalf-lightthatlostitselfintheobscurityamongsttherafters。Thefrontwallwascutintwobythedoorwayofacentralpassageclosedbyaredcurtain。Thewomen\'sroomopenedintothatpassage,whichledtothebackcourtyardandtothecookingshed。Inoneofthesidewallstherewasadoorway。Halfobliteratedwords——\"Office:
LingardandCo。\"——werestilllegibleonthedustydoor,whichlookedasifithadnotbeenopenedforaverylongtime。Closetotheothersidewallstoodabent-woodrocking-chair,andbythetableandabouttheverandahfourwoodenarmchairsstraggledforlornly,asifashamedoftheirshabbysurroundings。Aheapofcommonmatslayinonecorner,withanoldhammockslungdiagonallyabove。Intheothercorner,hisheadwrappedinapieceofredcalico,huddledintoashapelessheap,sleptaMalay,oneofAlmayer\'sdomesticslaves——\"myownpeople,\"heusedtocallthem。Anumerousandrepresentativeassemblyofmothswereholdinghighrevelsroundthelamptothespiritedmusicofswarmingmosquitoes。Underthepalm-leafthatchlizardsracedonthebeamscallingsoftly。Amonkey,chainedtooneoftheverandahsupports——retiredforthenightundertheeaves——peeredandgrinnedatAlmayer,asitswungtooneofthebambooroofsticksandcausedashowerofdustandbitsofdriedleavestosettleontheshabbytable。Thefloorwasuneven,withmanywitheredplantsanddriedearthscatteredabout。Ageneralairofsqualidneglectpervadedtheplace。Greatredstainsonthefloorandwallstestifiedtofrequentandindiscriminatebetel-nutchewing。Thelightbreezefromtheriverswayedgentlythetatteredblinds,sendingfromthewoodsoppositeafaintandsicklyperfumeasofdecayingflowers。
UnderAlmayer\'sheavytreadtheboardsoftheverandahcreakedloudly。Thesleeperinthecornermoveduneasily,mutteringindistinctwords。Therewasaslightrustlebehindthecurtaineddoorway,andasoftvoiceaskedinMalay,\"Isityou,father?\"
\"Yes,Nina。Iamhungry。Iseverybodyasleepinthishouse?\"
Almayerspokejoviallyanddroppedwithacontentedsighintothearmchairnearesttothetable。NinaAlmayercamethroughthecurtaineddoorwayfollowedbyanoldMalaywoman,whobusiedherselfinsettinguponthetableaplatefulofriceandfish,ajarofwater,andabottlehalffullofgenever。Aftercarefullyplacingbeforehermasteracrackedglasstumblerandatinspoonshewentawaynoiselessly。Ninastoodbythetable,onehandlightlyrestingonitsedge,theotherhanginglistlesslybyherside。Herfaceturnedtowardstheouterdarkness,throughwhichherdreamyeyesseemedtoseesomeentrancingpicture,worealookofimpatientexpectancy。Shewastallforahalf-caste,withthecorrectprofileofthefather,modifiedandstrengthenedbythesquarenessofthelowerpartofthefaceinheritedfromhermaternalancestors——theSulupirates。Herfirmmouth,withthelipsslightlypartedanddisclosingagleamofwhiteteeth,putavaguesuggestionofferocityintotheimpatientexpressionofherfeatures。AndyetherdarkandperfecteyeshadallthetendersoftnessofexpressioncommontoMalaywomen,butwithagleamofsuperiorintelligence;theylookedgravely,wideopenandsteady,asiffacingsomethinginvisibletoallothereyes,whileshestoodthereallinwhite,straight,flexible,graceful,unconsciousofherself,herlowbutbroadforeheadcrownedwithashiningmassoflongblackhairthatfellinheavytressesoverhershoulders,andmadeherpaleolivecomplexionlookpalerstillbythecontrastofitscoal-blackhue。
Almayerattackedhisricegreedily,butafterafewmouthfulshepaused,spooninhand,andlookedathisdaughtercuriously。
\"DidyouhearaboatpassabouthalfanhouragoNina?\"heasked。
Thegirlgavehimaquickglance,andmovingawayfromthelightstoodwithherbacktothetable。
\"No,\"shesaid,slowly。
\"Therewasaboat。Atlast!Dainhimself;andhewentontoLakamba。Iknowit,forhetoldmeso。Ispoketohim,buthewouldnotcomehereto-night。Willcometo-morrow,hesaid。\"
Heswallowedanotherspoonful,thensaid——
\"Iamalmosthappyto-night,Nina。Icanseetheendofalongroad,anditleadsusawayfromthismiserableswamp。Weshallsoongetawayfromhere,Iandyou,mydearlittlegirl,andthen——\"
Herosefromthetableandstoodlookingfixedlybeforehimasifcontemplatingsomeenchantingvision。
\"Andthen,\"hewenton,\"weshallbehappy,youandI。Liverichandrespectedfarfromhere,andforgetthislife,andallthisstruggle,andallthismisery!\"
Heapproachedhisdaughterandpassedhishandcaressinglyoverherhair。
\"ItisbadtohavetotrustaMalay,\"hesaid,\"butImustownthatthisDainisaperfectgentleman——aperfectgentleman,\"herepeated。
\"Didyouaskhimtocomehere,father?\"inquiredNina,notlookingathim。
\"Well,ofcourse。Weshallstartonthedayafterto-morrow,\"
saidAlmayer,joyously。\"Wemustnotloseanytime。Areyouglad,littlegirl?\"
Shewasnearlyastallashimself,buthelikedtorecallthetimewhenshewaslittleandtheywereallinalltoeachother。
\"Iamglad,\"shesaid,verylow。
\"Ofcourse,\"saidAlmayer,vivaciously,\"youcannotimaginewhatisbeforeyou。ImyselfhavenotbeentoEurope,butIhaveheardmymothertalksooftenthatIseemtoknowallaboutit。
Weshalllivea——agloriouslife。Youshallsee。\"
Againhestoodsilentbyhisdaughter\'ssidelookingatthatenchantingvision。Afterawhileheshookhisclenchedhandtowardsthesleepingsettlement。
\"Ah!myfriendAbdulla,\"hecried,\"weshallseewhowillhavethebestofitafteralltheseyears!\"
Helookeduptheriverandremarkedcalmly:
\"Anotherthunderstorm。Well!Nothunderwillkeepmeawaketo-night,Iknow!Good-night,littlegirl,\"hewhispered,tenderlykissinghercheek。\"Youdonotseemtobeveryhappyto-night,butto-morrowyouwillshowabrighterface。Eh?\"
Ninahadlistenedtoherfatherwithherfaceunmoved,withherhalf-closedeyesstillgazingintothenightnowmademoreintensebyaheavythunder-cloudthathadcreptdownfromthehillsblottingoutthestars,mergingsky,forest,andriverintoonemassofalmostpalpableblackness。Thefaintbreezehaddiedout,butthedistantrumbleofthunderandpaleflashesoflightninggavewarningoftheapproachingstorm。Withasighthegirlturnedtowardsthetable。
Almayerwasinhishammocknow,alreadyhalfasleep。
\"Takethelamp,Nina,\"hemuttered,drowsily。\"Thisplaceisfullofmosquitoes。Gotosleep,daughter。\"
ButNinaputthelampoutandturnedbackagaintowardsthebalustradeoftheverandah,standingwithherarmroundthewoodensupportandlookingeagerlytowardsthePantaireach。Andmotionlessthereintheoppressivecalmofthetropicalnightshecouldseeateachflashoflightningtheforestliningbothbanksuptheriver,bendingbeforethefuriousblastofthecomingtempest,theupperreachoftheriverwhippedintowhitefoambythewind,andtheblackcloudstornintofantasticshapestrailinglowovertheswayingtrees。Roundherallwasasyetstillnessandpeace,butshecouldhearafarofftheroarofthewind,thehissofheavyrain,thewashofthewavesonthetormentedriver。Itcamenearerandnearer,withloudthunder-clapsandlongflashesofvividlightning,followedbyshortperiodsofappallingblackness。Whenthestormreachedthelowpointdividingtheriver,thehouseshookinthewind,andtherainpatteredloudlyonthepalm-leafroof,thethunderspokeinoneprolongedroll,andtheincessantlightningdisclosedaturmoilofleapingwaters,drivinglogs,andthebigtreesbendingbeforeabrutalandmercilessforce。
Undisturbedbythenightlyeventoftherainymonsoon,thefathersleptquietly,obliviousalikeofhishopes,hismisfortunes,hisfriends,andhisenemies;andthedaughterstoodmotionless,ateachflashoflightningeagerlyscanningthebroadriverwithasteadyandanxiousgaze。
chapter02
CHAPTERII。
When,incompliancewithLingard\'sabruptdemand,AlmayerconsentedtowedtheMalaygirl,nooneknewthatonthedaywhentheinterestingyoungconverthadlostallhernaturalrelationsandfoundawhitefather,shehadbeenfightingdesperatelyliketherestofthemonboardtheprau,andwasonlypreventedfromleapingoverboard,likethefewothersurvivors,byaseverewoundintheleg。There,onthefore-deckoftheprau,oldLingardfoundherunderaheapofdeadanddyingpirates,andhadhercarriedonthepoopoftheFlashbeforetheMalaycraftwassetonfireandsentadrift。Shewasconscious,andinthegreatpeaceandstillnessofthetropicaleveningsucceedingtheturmoilofthebattle,shewatchedallshehelddearonearthafterherownsavagemanner,driftawayintothegloominagreatroarofflameandsmoke。Shelaythereunheedingthecarefulhandsattendingtoherwound,silentandabsorbedingazingatthefuneralpileofthosebravemenshehadsomuchadmiredandsowellhelpedintheircontestwiththeredoubtable\"Rajah-Laut。\"
Thelightnightbreezefannedthebriggentlytothesouthward,andthegreatblazeoflightgotsmallerandsmallertillittwinkledonlyonthehorizonlikeasettingstar。Itset:
theheavycanopyofsmokereflectedtheglareofhiddenflamesforashorttimeandthendisappearedalso。
Sherealisedthatwiththisvanishinggleamheroldlifedepartedtoo。Thenceforththerewasslaveryinthefarcountries,amongststrangers,inunknownandperhapsterriblesurroundings。Beingfourteenyearsold,sherealisedherpositionandcametothatconclusion,theonlyonepossibletoaMalaygirl,soonripenedunderatropicalsun,andnotunawareofherpersonalcharms,ofwhichsheheardmanyayoungbravewarriorofherfather\'screwexpressanappreciativeadmiration。Therewasinherthedreadoftheunknown;otherwisesheacceptedherpositioncalmly,afterthemannerofherpeople,andevenconsidereditquitenatural;
forwasshenotadaughterofwarriors,conqueredinbattle,anddidshenotbelongrightfullytothevictoriousRajah?Eventheevidentkindnessoftheterribleoldmanmustspring,shethought,fromadmirationforhiscaptive,andtheflatteredvanityeasedforherthepangsofsorrowaftersuchanawfulcalamity。Perhapshadsheknownofthehighwalls,thequietgardens,andthesilentnunsoftheSamarangconvent,whereherdestinywasleadingher,shewouldhavesoughtdeathinherdreadandhateofsucharestraint。ButinimaginationshepicturedtoherselftheusuallifeofaMalaygirl——theusualsuccessionofheavyworkandfiercelove,ofintrigues,goldornaments,ofdomesticdrudgery,andofthatgreatbutoccultinfluencewhichisoneofthefewrightsofhalf-savagewomankind。Butherdestinyintheroughhandsoftheoldsea-dog,actingunderunreasoningimpulsesoftheheart,tookastrangeandtoheraterribleshape。Sheboreitall——therestraintandtheteachingandthenewfaith——withcalmsubmission,concealingherhateandcontemptforallthatnewlife。Shelearnedthelanguageveryeasily,yetunderstoodbutlittleofthenewfaiththegoodsisterstaughther,assimilatingquicklyonlythesuperstitiouselementsofthereligion。ShecalledLingardfather,gentlyandcaressingly,ateachofhisshortandnoisyvisits,undertheclearimpressionthathewasagreatanddangerouspoweritwasgoodtopropitiate。Washenotnowhermaster?Andduringthoselongfouryearsshenourishedahopeoffindingfavourinhiseyesandultimatelybecominghiswife,counsellor,andguide。
ThosedreamsofthefutureweredispelledbytheRajahLaut\'s\"fiat,\"whichmadeAlmayer\'sfortune,asthatyoungmanfondlyhoped。AnddressedinthehatefulfineryofEurope,thecentreofaninterestedcircleofBataviansociety,theyoungconvertstoodbeforethealtarwithanunknownandsulky-lookingwhiteman。ForAlmayerwasuneasy,alittledisgusted,andgreatlyinclinedtorunaway。Ajudiciousfearoftheadoptedfather-in-lawandajustregardforhisownmaterialwelfarepreventedhimfrommakingascandal;yet,whileswearingfidelity,hewasconcoctingplansforgettingridoftheprettyMalaygirlinamoreorlessdistantfuture。She,however,hadretainedenoughofconventualteachingtounderstandwellthataccordingtowhitemen\'slawsshewasgoingtobeAlmayer\'scompanionandnothisslave,andpromisedtoherselftoactaccordingly。
SowhentheFlashfreightedwithmaterialsforbuildinganewhouselefttheharbourofBatavia,takingawaytheyoungcoupleintotheunknownBorneo,shedidnotcarryonherdecksomuchloveandhappinessasoldLingardwaswonttoboastofbeforehiscasualfriendsintheverandahsofvarioushotels。Theoldseamanhimselfwasperfectlyhappy。Nowhehaddonehisdutybythegirl。\"YouknowImadeheranorphan,\"heoftenconcludedsolemnly,whentalkingabouthisownaffairstoascratchaudienceofshoreloafers——asitwashishabittodo。Andtheapprobativeshoutsofhishalf-intoxicatedauditorsfilledhissimplesoulwithdelightandpride。\"Icarryeverythingrightthrough,\"wasanotherofhissayings,andinpursuanceofthatprinciplehepushedthebuildingofhouseandgodownsonthePantaiRiverwithfeverishhaste。Thehousefortheyoungcouple;thegodownsforthebigtradeAlmayerwasgoingtodevelopwhilehe(Lingard)wouldbeabletogivehimselfuptosomemysteriousworkwhichwasonlyspokenofinhints,butwasunderstoodtorelatetogoldanddiamondsintheinterioroftheisland。Almayerwasimpatienttoo。HadheknownwhatwasbeforehimhemightnothavebeensoeagerandfullofhopeashestoodwatchingthelastcanoeoftheLingardexpeditiondisappearinthebenduptheriver。When,turninground,hebeheldtheprettylittlehouse,thebiggodownsbuiltneatlybyanarmyofChinesecarpenters,thenewjettyroundwhichwereclusteredthetradingcanoes,hefeltasuddenelationinthethoughtthattheworldwashis。
Buttheworldhadtobeconqueredfirst,anditsconquestwasnotsoeasyashethought。HewasverysoonmadetounderstandthathewasnotwantedinthatcornerofitwhereoldLingardandhisownweakwillplacedhim,inthemidstofunscrupulousintriguesandofafiercetradecompetition。TheArabshadfoundouttheriver,hadestablishedatradingpostinSambir,andwheretheytradedtheywouldbemastersandsuffernorival。Lingardreturnedunsuccessfulfromhisfirstexpedition,anddepartedagainspendingalltheprofitsofthelegitimatetradeonhismysteriousjourneys。Almayerstruggledwiththedifficultiesofhisposition,friendlessandunaided,savefortheprotectiongiventohimforLingard\'ssakebytheoldRajah,thepredecessorofLakamba。Lakambahimself,thenlivingasaprivateindividualonariceclearing,sevenmilesdowntheriver,exercisedallhisinfluencetowardsthehelpofthewhiteman\'senemies,plottingagainsttheoldRajahandAlmayerwithacertaintyofcombination,pointingclearlytoaprofoundknowledgeoftheirmostsecretaffairs。Outwardlyfriendly,hisportlyformwasoftentobeseenonAlmayer\'sverandah;hisgreenturbanandgold-embroideredjacketshoneinthefrontrankofthedecorousthrongofMalayscomingtogreetLingardonhisreturnsfromtheinterior;hissalaamswereofthelowest,andhishand-shakingsoftheheartiest,whenwelcomingtheoldtrader。Buthissmalleyestookinthesignsofthetimes,andhedepartedfromthoseinterviewswithasatisfiedandfurtivesmiletoholdlongconsultationswithhisfriendandally,SyedAbdulla,thechiefoftheArabtradingpost,amanofgreatwealthandofgreatinfluenceintheislands。
ItwascurrentlybelievedatthattimeinthesettlementthatLakamba\'svisitstoAlmayer\'shousewerenotlimitedtothoseofficialinterviews。OftenonmoonlightnightsthebelatedfishermenofSambirasawasmallcanoeshootingoutfromthenarrowcreekatthebackofthewhiteman\'shouse,andthesolitaryoccupantpaddlecautiouslydowntheriverinthedeepshadowsofthebank;andthoseevents,dulyreported,werediscussedroundtheeveningfiresfarintothenightwiththecynicismofexpressioncommontoaristocraticMalays,andwithamaliciouspleasureinthedomesticmisfortunesoftheOrangBlando——thehatedDutchman。Almayerwentonstrugglingdesperately,butwithafeeblenessofpurposedeprivinghimofallchanceofsuccessagainstmensounscrupulousandresoluteashisrivalstheArabs。Thetradefellawayfromthelargegodowns,andthegodownsthemselvesrottedpiecemeal。Theoldman\'sbanker,HudigofMacassar,failed,andwiththiswentthewholeavailablecapital。TheprofitsofpastyearshadbeenswallowedupinLingard\'sexploringcraze。Lingardwasintheinterior——perhapsdead——atalleventsgivingnosignoflife。
Almayerstoodaloneinthemidstofthoseadversecircumstances,derivingonlyalittlecomfortfromthecompanionshipofhislittledaughter,borntwoyearsafterthemarriage,andatthetimesomesixyearsold。Hiswifehadsooncommencedtotreathimwithasavagecontemptexpressedbysulkysilence,onlyoccasionallyvariedbyafloodofsavageinvective。Hefeltshehatedhim,andsawherjealouseyeswatchinghimselfandthechildwithalmostanexpressionofhate。Shewasjealousofthelittlegirl\'sevidentpreferenceforthefather,andAlmayerfelthewasnotsafewiththatwomaninthehouse。Whileshewasburningthefurniture,andtearingdowntheprettycurtainsinherunreasoninghateofthosesignsofcivilisation,Almayer,cowedbytheseoutburstsofsavagenature,meditatedinsilenceonthebestwayofgettingridofher。Hethoughtofeverything;
evenplannedmurderinanundecidedandfeeblesortofway,butdareddonothing——expectingeverydaythereturnofLingardwithnewsofsomeimmensegoodfortune。Hereturnedindeed,butaged,ill,aghostofhisformerself,withthefireoffeverburninginhissunkeneyes,almosttheonlysurvivorofthenumerousexpedition。Buthewassuccessfulatlast!Untoldricheswereinhisgrasp;hewantedmoremoney——onlyalittlemoretorealiseadreamoffabulousfortune。AndHudighadfailed!Almayerscrapedallhecouldtogether,buttheoldmanwantedmore。IfAlmayercouldnotgetithewouldgotoSingapore——toEuropeeven,butbeforealltoSingapore;andhewouldtakethelittleNinawithhim。Thechildmustbebroughtupdecently。HehadgoodfriendsinSingaporewhowouldtakecareofherandhavehertaughtproperly。Allwouldbewell,andthatgirl,uponwhomtheoldseamanseemedtohavetransferredallhisformeraffectionforthemother,wouldbetherichestwomanintheEast——intheworldeven。SooldLingardshouted,pacingtheverandahwithhisheavyquarter-deckstep,gesticulatingwithasmoulderingcheroot;ragged,dishevelled,enthusiastic;andAlmayer,sittinghuddleduponapileofmats,thoughtwithdreadoftheseparationwiththeonlyhumanbeingheloved——withgreaterdreadstill,perhaps,ofthescenewithhiswife,thesavagetigressdeprivedofheryoung。Shewillpoisonme,thoughtthepoorwretch,wellawareofthateasyandfinalmannerofsolvingthesocial,political,orfamilyproblemsinMalaylife。
Tohisgreatsurpriseshetookthenewsveryquietly,givingonlyhimandLingardafurtiveglance,andsayingnotaword。This,however,didnotpreventherthenextdayfromjumpingintotheriverandswimmingaftertheboatinwhichLingardwascarryingawaythenursewiththescreamingchild。Almayerhadtogivechasewithhiswhale-boatanddragherinbythehairinthemidstofcriesandcursesenoughtomakeheavenfall。Yetaftertwodaysspentinwailing,shereturnedtoherformermodeoflife,chewingbetel-nut,andsittingalldayamongstherwomeninstupefiedidleness。Sheagedveryrapidlyafterthat,andonlyrousedherselffromherapathytoacknowledgebyascathingremarkoraninsultingexclamationtheaccidentalpresenceofherhusband。Hehadbuiltforherariversidehutinthecompoundwhereshedweltinperfectseclusion。Lakamba\'svisitshadceasedwhen,byaconvenientdecreeofProvidenceandthehelpofalittlescientificmanipulation,theoldrulerofSambirdepartedthislife。Lakambareignedinhissteadnow,havingbeenwellservedbyhisArabfriendswiththeDutchauthorities。
SyedAbdullawasthegreatmanandtraderofthePantai。Almayerlayruinedandhelplessundertheclose-meshednetoftheirintrigues,owinghislifeonlytohissupposedknowledgeofLingard\'svaluablesecret。Lingardhaddisappeared。HewroteoncefromSingaporesayingthechildwaswell,andunderthecareofaMrs。Vinck,andthathehimselfwasgoingtoEuropetoraisemoneyforthegreatenterprise。\"Hewascomingbacksoon。
Therewouldbenodifficulties,\"hewrote;\"peoplewouldrushinwiththeirmoney。\"Evidentlytheydidnot,fortherewasonlyonelettermorefromhimsayinghewasill,hadfoundnorelationliving,butlittleelsebesides。Thencameacompletesilence。
EuropehadswalloweduptheRajahLautapparently,andAlmayerlookedvainlywestwardforarayoflightoutofthegloomofhisshatteredhopes。Yearspassed,andtherarelettersfromMrs。Vinck,lateronfromthegirlherself,weretheonlythingtobelookedtotomakelifebearableamongstthetriumphantsavageryoftheriver。Almayerlivednowalone,havingevenceasedtovisithisdebtorswhowouldnotpay,sureofLakamba\'sprotection。ThefaithfulSumatreseAlicookedhisriceandmadehiscoffee,forhedarednottrustanyoneelse,andleastofallhiswife。Hekilledtimewanderingsadlyintheovergrownpathsroundthehouse,visitingtheruinedgodownswhereafewbrassgunscoveredwithverdigrisandonlyafewbrokencasesofmoulderingManchestergoodsremindedhimofthegoodearlytimeswhenallthiswasfulloflifeandmerchandise,andheoverlookedabusysceneontheriverbank,hislittledaughterbyhisside。
Nowtheup-countrycanoesglidedpastthelittlerottenwharfofLingardandCo。,topaddleupthePantaibranch,andclusterroundthenewjettybelongingtoAbdulla。NotthattheylovedAbdulla,buttheydarednottradewiththemanwhosestarhadset。HadtheydonesotheyknewtherewasnomercytobeexpectedfromAraborRajah;noricetobegotoncreditinthetimesofscarcityfromeither;andAlmayercouldnothelpthem,havingattimeshardlyenoughforhimself。Almayer,inhisisolationanddespair,oftenenviedhisnearneighbourtheChinaman,Jim-Eng,whomhecouldseestretchedonapileofcoolmats,awoodenpillowunderhishead,anopiumpipeinhisnervelessfingers。Hedidnotseek,however,consolationinopium——perhapsitwastooexpensive——perhapshiswhiteman\'spridesavedhimfromthatdegradation;butmostlikelyitwasthethoughtofhislittledaughterinthefar-offStraitsSettlements。HeheardfromheroftenersinceAbdullaboughtasteamer,whichrannowbetweenSingaporeandthePantaisettlementeverythreemonthsorso。Almayerfelthimselfnearerhisdaughter。Helongedtoseeher,andplannedavoyagetoSingapore,butputoffhisdeparturefromyeartoyear,alwaysexpectingsomefavourableturnoffortune。Hedidnotwanttomeetherwithemptyhandsandwithnowordsofhopeonhislips。
Hecouldnottakeherbackintothatsavagelifetowhichhewascondemnedhimself。Hewasalsoalittleafraidofher。Whatwouldshethinkofhim?Hereckonedtheyears。Agrownwoman。
Acivilisedwoman,youngandhopeful;whilehefeltoldandhopeless,andverymuchlikethosesavagesroundhim。Heaskedhimselfwhatwasgoingtobeherfuture。Hecouldnotanswerthatquestionyet,andhedarednotfaceher。Andyethelongedafterher。Hehesitatedforyears。
HishesitationwasputanendtobyNina\'sunexpectedappearanceinSambir。Shearrivedinthesteamerunderthecaptain\'scare。
Almayerbeheldherwithsurprisenotunmixedwithwonder。Duringthosetenyearsthechildhadchangedintoawoman,black-haired,olive-skinned,tall,andbeautiful,withgreatsadeyes,wherethestartledexpressioncommontoMalaywomankindwasmodifiedbyathoughtfultingeinheritedfromherEuropeanancestry。Almayerthoughtwithdismayofthemeetingofhiswifeanddaughter,ofwhatthisgravegirlinEuropeanclotheswouldthinkofherbetel-nutchewingmother,squattinginadarkhut,disorderly,halfnaked,andsulky。Healsofearedanoutbreakoftemperonthepartofthatpestofawomanhehadhithertomanagedtokeeptolerablyquiet,therebysavingtheremnantsofhisdilapidatedfurniture。Andhestoodtherebeforethecloseddoorofthehutintheblazingsunshinelisteningtothemurmurofvoices,wonderingwhatwentoninside,wherefromalltheservant-maidshadbeenexpelledatthebeginningoftheinterview,andnowstoodclusteredbythepalingswithhalf-coveredfacesinachatterofcuriousspeculation。Heforgothimselftheretryingtocatchastraywordthroughthebamboowalls,tillthecaptainofthesteamer,whohadwalkedupwiththegirl,fearingasunstroke,tookhimunderthearmandledhimintotheshadeofhisownverandah:whereNina\'strunkstoodalready,havingbeenlandedbythesteamer\'smen。AssoonasCaptainFordhadhisglassbeforehimandhischerootlighted,Almayeraskedfortheexplanationofhisdaughter\'sunexpectedarrival。Fordsaidlittlebeyondgeneralisinginvaguebutviolenttermsuponthefoolishnessofwomeningeneral,andofMrs。Vinckinparticular。