“But, njonja—”
“Now, MʻBok,” said Laurentia, resolutely, “not another word on that subject. Don’t forget to bring me a good supply of the obat.”
“Has the njonja no other orders for me?”
“None at present,” was the answer.
“I only wished to tell you that I have another little lot of jewellery at home,” insisted the old hag; “ear-rings, rings—!”
“No, no, nèh,” said Laurentia, interrupting her; “but if you should happen to know of some bracelets.”
“Bracelets, njonja? of what kind?”
“Golden ones, of course,” replied Mrs. van Gulpendam. “A little while ago I saw some that I should very much like to have; the Chinese major’s daughter was wearing them. They were beauties, serpents of old gold which went three or four times round the wrist and they had eyes of brilliants and in their mouth was a rose-coloured diamond as thick as that, look!” And the njonja at these words held up her little finger.
Old MʻBok Kârijâh devoured, so to speak, the words which she heard.
“If,” continued the njonja, “you could find me such a pair of bracelets, I should think them well worth having and—there might be a little profit for you too.”