“Very serious, indeed,” replied Kobus, the veldwachter.[[4]]
“It is a disgrace to the whole parish!” continued the burgomaster.
“An everlasting disgrace!” repeated the veldwachter.
Then followed an ominous silence, in the course of which the burgomaster, with gloomy countenance and wildly rolling eye, attentively followed the movements of a fly which was leisurely walking about the stately expanse of his waistcoat; while the veldwachter kept a watchful eye on his superior’s features, that he might not fail to mould his own accordingly. In the meantime, he knit his brows, and provided himself with a half-expectant, half-threatening expression.
“IT IS A DISGRACE TO THE WHOLE PARISH!”
At length the reverend head of Gerrit, the burgomaster, solemnly rose upright, and his reflection opposite did the same.
“Kobus,” said Gerrit, “it must be seen to.”
And Kobus replied: “It shall be seen to, if your worship pleases.”
“Very good, Kobus; and I do please—of that I assure you....”