The needle-work had in all haste to be put away and concealed, and some light fancy work had to be snatched up; for it would never do to let that Chinaman see a European family employed in such drudgery.
“Tabeh njonja, tabeh nonna nonna. Saja halap—”
But we will not attempt to reproduce the Chinaman’s execrable Malay. In fact it would hardly be possible to do so, as the men of his nationality find the greatest difficulty to pronounce some of the consonants, and their talk is often extremely difficult to understand.
“Good-morning, madam; good-morning, young ladies,” said he most courteously, “I hope I am not intruding. I thought I might have found the Assistant Resident at home; but since I am not so fortunate, I take the liberty of paying my respects to the ladies—in the first place to inquire after their health, and also to tell them a great piece of news.”
“News?” asked Mrs. Meidema, who like most women did not lack curiosity. “Pray be seated, babah.”
And, turning to the native servant who was sitting cross-legged on the steps of the gallery, she said:
“Todrono, bring a chair.”
As the Chinaman took his seat, the two girls looked at him with wonder-waiting eyes.
“And now, babah, for your important news!” said Mrs. Meidema, somewhat eager to hear it.
“First,” said Lim Yang Bing with another bow, “allow me to inquire after the state of the ladies’ health.”