The reader will have long understood why I renounced so cheaply any pretensions to authenticity in the history of Saïdjah.
It was touching to observe how Verbrugge—timorous before he was awakened by the reproaches of Duclari—dared to trust Havelaar’s pledged word, in a matter which so induced violation of it!
And another thing. Years have passed since the events which I relate. Havelaar has suffered much during this time, he has seen the suffering of his household—the documents which lie before me bear witness of this, and it [[388]]seems that he has waited.… I give the following note from his hand:—“I read in the newspapers that Mr. Slymering has been made Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion. He appears to be now Resident of Djocjocarta. I can therefore now speak of the affairs of Lebak without danger to Verbrugge.” [[389]]
CHAPTER XX.
[COMPOSED BY STERN.]
It was evening. Tine was reading in the inner gallery; and Havelaar was drawing an embroidery pattern; little Max was putting together a puzzle picture, and was getting angry because he could not find that red lady’s body.
“Will it be right so, Tine?” asked Havelaar. “See, I have made this palm a little larger … it is exactly Hogarth’s line of beauty.”
“Yes, Max! but these lace-holes are too near each other.”
“Are they? And the others?”
“Max! do let me see your trousers, … have you that stripe?”