“Two million guilders!” exclaimed Laurentia, feigning the utmost surprise. “Why, babah, you must have a mint of money!”
“No, njonja, not overmuch!”
“And all of it out of your opium contract, eh?”
The Chinaman looked at his fair companion, he gave her a very strange look; that word opium had completely sobered him.
“And you have only had the contract for three years, I think, babah?” continued Laurentia.
Lim Yang Bing nodded assent. In his heart he was beginning to curse his boasting and vapouring.
“Have you seen the Resident lately?” asked Laurentia carelessly, but determined to strike while the iron was hot.
“No, njonja,” replied the Chinaman politely, but with none of his former gush.
“I know he wishes to speak to you about the contract—it runs out I think with the current year?”
“Yes, njonja.”