Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 25, 2025
He rushed over to the chair, caught up the child in his arms, walked back blindly, stumbled against Willems' hat which lay on the floor, and kicked it furiously down the steps. "Clear out of this! Clear out!" he shouted. Willems made an attempt to speak, but Almayer howled him down. "Take yourself off! Don't you see you frighten the child you scarecrow!
There, beside the little village church, stood Farmer Willems' homestead, with its little slate turret and the great poplars and, beside it, close together and quite hidden in the green, two little cottages. 'Twas there that he was brought up and had grown up; there, in one of those cottages. In the other lived Stafke's father and mother.
"Take that to this white Tuan's house. I will send the boat back for you in half an hour." The coxswain raised his lamp deliberately to Willem's face. "This Tuan? Tau! I know." "Quick then!" said Lingard, taking the lamp from him and the man went off at a run. "Kassi mem! To the lady herself," called Lingard after him. Then, when the man disappeared, he turned to Willems.
The unconscious Almayer smoked thoughtfully, planning to-morrow's work probably. The man's composure seemed to Willems an unpardonable insult. Why didn't that idiot talk to-night when he wanted him to? . . . on other nights he was ready enough to chatter. And such dull nonsense too!
The woman, who was carrying two bamboo vessels full of water, heard his footsteps, stopped, and putting the bamboos down half turned to look back. Willems also stood still for a minute, then walked steadily on with a firm tread, while the woman moved aside to let him pass. He kept his eyes fixed straight before him, yet almost unconsciously he took in every detail of the tall and graceful figure.
You never take advice I know that; but let me tell you that it wouldn't be honest to let that fellow get away from here. If you do nothing, that scoundrel will leave in Abdulla's ship for sure. Abdulla will make use of him to hurt you and others elsewhere. Willems knows too much about your affairs. He will cause you lots of trouble. You mark my words. Lots of trouble. To you and to others perhaps.
He hated them the strong fools and knew that for his righteous wisdom was reserved the safe triumph. Willems measured dismally the depth of his degradation. He a white man, the admired of white men, was held by those miserable savages whose tool he was about to become. He felt for them all the hate of his race, of his morality, of his intelligence. He looked upon himself with dismay and pity.
There were, however, certain sides of Lingard's character for which Willems felt a qualified respect. The talkative seaman knew how to be silent on certain matters that to Willems were very interesting. Besides, Lingard was rich, and that in itself was enough to compel Willems' unwilling admiration.
After the sound of her voice had died out in a stifled sigh they appeared to listen yet; and nothing stirred among the shapeless shadows but the innumerable fireflies that twinkled in changing clusters, in gliding pairs, in wandering and solitary points like the glimmering drift of scattered star-dust. Willems turned round slowly, reluctantly, as if compelled by main force.
Could I let myself go under before the eyes of all those men who envied me? But that's all over. It was an error of judgment. I've paid for it. An error of judgment." Lingard, astounded into perfect stillness, looked down. He looked down at Willems' bare feet. Then, as the other had paused, he repeated in a blank tone "An error of judgment . . ."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking