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Updated: June 29, 2025
It was judged the most wise to hire a house, which they did accordingly, opposite the British Consul's, to make a great parade of money, and themselves conspicuous with carriages and horses. This it was very easy to do, so long as they had the bottle in their possession; for Kokua was more bold than Keawe, and, whenever she had a mind, called on the imp for twenty or a hundred dollars.
“Kokua,” said he, “I said to you to-day what ill became me. Now I return to carouse with my jolly companions,” and at that he laughed a little quietly. “I will take more pleasure in the cup if you forgive me.” She clasped his knees in a moment; she kissed his knees with flowing tears. “O,” she cried, “I asked but a kind word!”
For I have a thought in my mind, and if you knew who I was, you might have heard of me, and would not give me a true answer. But tell me, first of all, one thing: Are you married?” At this Kokua laughed out aloud. “It is you who ask questions,” she said. “Are you married yourself?” “Indeed, Kokua, I am not,” replied Keawe, “and never thought to be until this hour. But here is the plain truth.
I would not tell you who I was, because I have so fine a house, and I feared you would think too much of that house and too little of the man who loves you. Now you know all, and if you wish to have seen the last of me, say so at once." "No," said Kokua; but this time she did not laugh, nor did Keawe ask for more.
"You do well to weep in this house, Kokua," he said. "Happy!" she cried. "Keawe, when you lived alone in your Bright House, you were the word of the island for a happy man; laughter and song were in your mouth, and your face was as bright as the sunrise. Then you wedded poor Kokua; and the good God knows what is amiss in her but from that day you have not smiled. O!" she cried, "what ails me?
It was necessary besides to explain the dangers of the bottle; and either people disbelieved the whole thing and laughed, or they thought the more of the darker part, became overcast with gravity, and drew away from Keawe and Kokua, as from persons who had dealings with the devil.
"I have been with good companions, and now I only come back for money, and return to drink and carouse with them again." Both his face and voice were as stern as judgment, but Kokua was too troubled to observe. "You do well to use your own, my husband," said she, and her words trembled. "O, I do well in all things," said Keawe, and he went straight to the chest and took out money.
Kokua said never a word, but she looked at the sea and laughed. "Kokua," said Keawe, "if you say nothing, I will take that for the good answer; so let us be stepping to your father's door." She went on ahead of him, still without speech; only sometimes she glanced back and glanced away again, and she kept the strings of her hat in her mouth.
Thither he went, because he feared to be alone; and there, among happy faces, walked to and fro, and heard the tunes go up and down, and saw Berger beat the measure, and all the while he heard the flames crackle, and saw the red fire burning in the bottomless pit. Of a sudden the band played Hiki-ao-ao; that was a song that he had sung with Kokua, and at the strain courage returned to him.
“Give me the four centimes and await me here,” said the old man. Now, when Kokua stood alone in the street, her spirit died. The wind roared in the trees, and it seemed to her the rushing of the flames of hell; the shadows tossed in the light of the street lamp, and they seemed to her the snatching hands of evil ones.
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