“I say, boys, here’s fun! just listen to me:—‘Mr. and Mrs. Lim Yang Bing and Mr. and Mrs. Ngow Ming Than have the honour to announce the approaching marriage of Mr. Lim Ho, son of the former, to Miss Ngow Ming Nio daughter of the latter. The marriage ceremony will take place on the third of September next, and a reception will subsequently be held at the residence of Mr. Lim Yang Bing in the Gang Pinggir at Santjoemeh.’ ”
“Piping hot,” remarked Grenits, “poor Dalima’s trial is scarcely over!”
“A Chinese wedding must be a curious affair,” said van Rheijn. “You are going eh?”
“You may go if you like,” returned van Nerekool, “I have not the slightest objection, if only you will allow me to stay at home. I could not, for the life of me, hold out my hand to that scoundrel Lim Ho, or offer him even the most formal congratulations.”
“Come, come,” said Grashuis. “There will no doubt be a great crowd, and it will be easy enough to get out of that part of the ceremony without being remarked at all; who is to notice it?”
“That’s right!” laughed Grenits, “that’s it ‘des accommodements avec le ciel!’ But just let me see what this second document is about. Upon my word, Edward, you would have won your bet. The day after to-morrow, I have to surrender myself into the custody of the jailer to undergo my sentence of ten consecutive days of imprisonment.”
For a few moments, a silence fell upon all present. They quite justified Grenits’ conduct, and in fact applauded it as a generous outburst of manly indignation. But yet the fact of ten days’ imprisonment threw a gloom over these young men, who were so full of vigour and life. The condemned man, however, was the first to regain his cheerfulness, “Well, my friends,” cried he, “you will try and preserve me from feeling too lonely, I hope.”
“That we will!” cried one, “I have a splendid novel by Ebers, called Serapis, it has only just come out, I will send it you.”
“And I,” exclaimed another, “I shall have my piano sent up to the jail, then you can strum away to your heart’s content.”
“And we will come and sit with you as often as we possibly can, you will not lack company.”