[9] Mem-sahib.
[10] From the Dutch oppasser: overseer, watchman.
[11] A title of an independent native prince, equivalent to rajah.
[12] Business, fuss, bother.
[13] Compound.
[CHAPTER VIII]
Lot Pauws was sitting in his room, writing, when he heard the voices of his mother and of her husband, Steyn, below. Mamma Ottilie's voice sounded shrill, in steadily rising anger; and Steyn's calm, indifferent bass voice boomed with short, jerky sentences and egged on Mamma's words till she stuttered them out and almost choked in the panting effort.
Lot put down his pen with a sigh and went downstairs. He saw the old servant-maid listening eagerly at the kitchen-door, but she disappeared when she heard Lot's footstep on the stair.
Lot entered the room: