“Because the Regent of Ngadjiwa has been dismissed.”
“Does Oorip say that?”
“No, I do. Oorip said that the regent had occult powers. That’s nonsense, of course. The fellow’s a scoundrel. He has bribed people ... to worry papa.”
“But papa notices none of it....”
“No.... We mustn’t tell him either.... That’s the best thing to do.... We must ignore it.”
“And the white hadji, Theo, whom Doddie saw twice.... And, when they do table-turning at Van Helderen’s, Ida sees him too....”
“Oh, another tool of the regent’s, of course!”
“Yes, I expect that’s true.... But it’s wretched all the same, Theo.... Theo darling, I’m so frightened!”
“Of that nonsense? Come, come!”
“If it’s anything, Theo ... it has nothing to do with us, you say?”