“And then,” continued van Gulpendam, “another piece of advice let me give you. Very luckily for you the court, which was to have sat to-day and given judgment on that opium-case, has been adjourned. You see, you have yet time to alter that report of yours; which, I must say, appears to me to be drawn up with too much partiality.”
“That I will never do!” cried Meidema, vehemently interrupting his chief.
“Mr. Meidema,” resumed van Gulpendam, “I am merely giving you friendly advice. You have a large family—there are a good many mouths to feed. However, think the matter over well.”
“No, never, never, Resident!”
“Very well, in that case our interview may be considered at an end. But don’t be in a hurry, think it over well.”
When Mr. Meidema had left, the Resident stood for a while gazing after him. At length, hoarse with passion, he cried out: “That opposition must be overcome.”
CHAPTER XXV.
EVE’S DAUGHTERS AND THE SERPENT.
A couple of days after Mrs. Meidema was sitting with her two daughters in one of the hinder galleries of her house. Our reader has already made a slight acquaintance with the pretty pair of twins on the occasion of the reception and ball at the Residence. They were now sitting with their mother, very busy mending a heap of boys’ clothing which appeared to be in a deplorable state.