“But meanwhile,” repeated van Gulpendam, “what news has the girl to tell me?”
“Oh,” said Laurentia wearily, “I would much rather she should herself tell you. She could much better explain it herself why she allowed van Nerekool to kiss her last night in the garden. But, I should like to know what paper that is there in your hand. You know I don’t like to see the rubbish at my table. There is room enough in the office for all that sort of thing; and what’s more you have my full leave to keep all those things there!”
Van Gulpendam had taken the rather startling communication of his wife quite coolly; so coolly, indeed, that it exceedingly provoked fair Laurentia. She had, therefore, sought to vent her displeasure upon something, and that something, she had found in the unlucky piece of paper.
“It is a telegram,” said van Gulpendam, moodily, “which I have just received, and which has annoyed me not a little.”
“Yes, a message from the Hague. Look! yesterday evening at nine o’clock, this thing was sent off, and this morning by daylight, we have it here.”
“Well,” said Laurentia, in no mood to humour her husband, “do you call that so very quick? Don’t you remember Amy’s letter, when we had sent her our congratulations on her engagement? Our telegram left the office at Santjoemeh at eleven o’clock, and, she wrote to us, that the very same morning at nine o’clock, it was delivered to her. That’s quick if you like—it seems to me, rather more than quick!”
“Why, Laurentia” said her husband, “I have explained it to you. The reason lies in the difference of longitude.”
“Yes, yes, I know all about that, the sun turns—no the earth turns. Oh yes, I know all about it. But that does not alter the fact that it was very quick work. Fancy to receive a telegram, actually before it was sent off! But what can there be in that telegram from the Hague, to put you out so?”
“Bah!” said van Gulpendam, “what do you women know about business?”