It seemed to break the spell and lift the veil of gloom from all the others.
“So we have,” Johannes answered, “and we are always booked for the best seats in order that we may thoroughly enjoy the performance. And yet we dare not interfere.”
“I should think not,” Schlickeisen added. “Suppose they should place us in similar cages?”
“Or make us dip our fingers in boiling rosin?” said Wienersdorf.
“Yes,” Johannes added warningly. “Even Hamadoe would not hesitate to start an action for breach of promise.”
“And then good-bye to your finger,” Schlickeisen smiled at the Walloon, for he too, like Wienersdorf, had been obliged to be betrothed to a Dayak maiden.
The Walloon looked wistfully at his index as if he already felt the burning pain. [[234]]
“That is awkward,” he muttered. “A man may now and then change his mind.”
“So you may, but mind your finger; a basin of that rosin is far from nice.”
“I thank you for your advice,” said La Cueille; “I will mind my finger. But there is much that I cannot understand and am anxious to know more about.”