And Ina, who was curious to see the rooms which Uncle Daan and Aunt Floor occupied, rose and went through Aunt's bedroom, with a quick glance at the trunks. One of the baboes was busy hanging up dresses in a wardrobe.
"Where are the gentlemen, baboe?"
"In the study, njonja."
The baboe pointed the way to Ina through the conservatory. Well, they were handsome and no doubt expensive rooms. Ina knew that the pension was not a cheap one; and Uncle Daan and Aunt Floor would hardly be poor as "r-r-rats." So Uncle had his own bedroom and a study besides. Papa was with him now and they were doubtless talking business, for they were jointly interested in various undertakings. At home Papa never talked about business, vouchsafed no information, to Ina's great despair.... She heard their voices. And she was thinking of creeping up quietly through the conservatory—who knew but that she might overhear some detail which would tell her of the state of Uncle Daan's fortune?—from sheer innocent curiosity, when she suddenly stopped with a start. For she had heard Uncle Daan's voice, which had not changed during the five years since she had seen Uncle, exclaim:
"Harold, have you known it all this time?"
"Ssh!" she heard, in her father's voice.
And Uncle Daan repeated, in a whisper:
"Have you known it all this time?"
"Don't speak so loud," said Harold Dercksz, in a hushed tone. "I thought I heard somebody...."
"No, it's the baboe clearing up ... and she doesn't understand Dutch...."