Part 17 (1/2)
”You're a bit overstrung. But I knew that you had a good heart ... and would not leave me in the lurch ... and would consent to help poor old Mother Staats. But don't throw away any money, mevrouwtje: no expense, no new scenery. Just your wit, your talent, your beautiful elocution: French or Dutch, as you please. We're proud of all that at Labuw.a.n.gi, you know; and all the beautiful acting--which you give us free of charge--is quite enough to make the performance a success. But how overstrung you are, mevrouwtje! Why are you crying? Aren't you well? Tell me: is there anything I can do for you?”
”Don't work my husband so hard, resident. I never see anything of him.”
He made a gesture to show that he could not help himself:
”It's true,” he admitted. ”There's an awful lot to do. Is that the trouble?”
”And make me see the good side of India.”
”Is that it?”
”And a lot besides.”
”Are you becoming homesick? Don't you care for India any longer, don't you care for Labuw.a.n.gi, where we all make so much of you?... You misjudge India. Try to see the good side of it.”
”I have tried.”
”Is it no use?”
”No.”
”You are too sensible not to perceive the good in this country.”
”You are too fond of it to be impartial. And I don't know how to be impartial. But tell me the good things.”
”Which shall I begin with? The satisfaction of being able, as an official, to do good to the country and the people. The fine, delightful sense of working for this country and this people; the ample hard work that fills a man's life out here.... I'm not speaking of all the office-work of your husband, who is district secretary. But I'm speaking of later on, when he becomes an a.s.sistant-resident!”
”It will be so long before that happens!”
”Well, then, the s.p.a.cious material life?”
”The white ants gnaw everything.”
”That's a poor joke, mevrouw.”
”Very possibly, resident. Everything is out of tune with me, inside and out: my wit, my piano and my poor soul.”
”Nature, then?”
”I don't feel it all. Nature is conquering me and devouring me.”
”Your own activities?”
”My activities? One of the good things in India?”
”Yes. To inspire us material, practical people with your wit, now and again.”