“Oh, thank you,” replied Mrs. Meidema, “we are all perfectly well.”
“Toean Allah be praised,” cried the Chinaman in high-flown tones, but with the sweetest of smiles on his lips.
“Now for your news, babah!” cried Gesina impatiently.
“Yes, nonna, I don’t wonder at your curiosity, you are quite right, the young ladies especially will enjoy it.”
“But, babah, do pray speak out, tell me what it is all about,” cried Matilda as eagerly as her sister.
“Well,” said the Chinaman, “it is about a wedding.”
“A wedding!” exclaimed one.
“A Chinese wedding?” asked the other.
“Yes, ladies, yes, a Chinese wedding, as you say,” replied Lim Yang Bing, laying as much stress as he could upon his words.
“Delightful!” cried both the young girls.