XIV

           Thedeep,interminablehootofthesteam-whistlehad,initsgrave,vibratingnote,somethingintolerable,whichsentaslightshudderdownMr.VanWyk’sback.Itwastheearlyafternoon;theSofalawasleavingBatuBeruforPangu,thenextplaceofcall.Sheswunginthestream,scantilyattendedbyafewcanoes,and,glidingonthebroadriver,becamelosttoviewfromtheVanWykbungalow.

           Itsownerhadnotgonethistimetoseeheroff.Generallyhecamedowntothewharf,exchangedafewwordswiththebridgewhileshecastoff,andwavedhishandtoCaptainWhalleyatthelastmoment.Thisdayhedidnotevengoasfarasthebalustradeoftheveranda.“Hecouldn’tseemeifIdid,”hesaidtohimself.“Iwonderwhetherhecanmakeoutthehouseatall.”Andthisthoughtsomehowmadehimfeelmorealonethanhehadeverfeltforalltheseyears.Whatwasit?sixorseven?Seven.Alongtime.

           Hesatontheverandawithaclosedbookonhisknee,and,asitwere,lookedoutuponhissolitude,asifthefactofCaptainWhalley’sblindnesshadopenedhiseyestohisown.Thereweremanysortsofheartachesandtroubles,andtherewasnoplacewheretheycouldnotfindamanout.Andhefeltashamed,asthoughhehadforsixyearsbehavedlikeapeevishboy.

           HisthoughtfollowedtheSofalaonherway.Onthespurofthemomenthehadactedimpulsively,turningtothethingmostpressing.Andwhatelsecouldhehavedone?Lateronheshouldsee.Itseemednecessarythatheshouldcomeoutintotheworld,foratimeatleast.