"What do you want?"
The chief's son stood for a moment, sullen and silent, and when he spoke it was with a strangled voice.
"We can't pay twenty pounds. We haven't the money."
"What am I to do?" said Mackintosh. "You heard what Mr Walker said."
Manuma began to plead, half in Samoan and half in English. It was a sing-song whine, with the quavering intonations of a beggar, and it filled Mackintosh with disgust. It outraged him that the man should let himself be so crushed. He was a pitiful object.
"I can do nothing," said Mackintosh irritably. "You know that Mr Walker is master here."
Manuma was silent again. He still stood in the doorway.
"I am sick," he said at last. "Give me some medicine."
"What is the matter with you?"
"I do not know. I am sick. I have pains in my body."