I looked at Jan and saw that he was making up his mind to say something, for his honest face was troubled, and now he took up his pipe, and now he put it down, moving his hands restlessly till at length he upset the coffee over the table.
"Doubtless," I thought to myself, "he means to tell the tale of the Englishmen who have come to seek for Ralph.

Well, I think that he may safely tell it now." Then I looked at Ralph and saw that he also was very ill at ease, struggling with words which he did not know how to utter.

I noted, moreover, that Suzanne touched his hand with hers beneath the shelter of the table as though to comfort and encourage him.

Now watching these two men, at last I broke out laughing, and said, addressing them: "You are like two fires of green weeds in a mealie patch, and I am wondering which of you will be the first to break into flame or whether you will both be choked by the reek of your own thoughts." My gibe, harmless though it was, stung them into speech, and both at once, for I have noticed, however stupid they may be, that men never like to be laughed at.
"I have something to say," said each of them, as though with a single voice, and they paused, looking at one another angrily.
"Then, son, wait till I have finished.

Almighty! for the last twenty minutes you have been sitting as silent as an ant-bear in a hole, and I tell you that it is my turn now; why, then, do you interrupt me ?" "I am very sorry, my father," said Ralph, looking much afraid, for he thought that Jan was going to scold him about Suzanne, and his conscience being guilty caused him to forget that it was not possible that he should know anything of the matter of his love-making.
"That is good," said Jan, still glaring at him; "but I am not your father." "Then why do you call me son ?" asked Ralph.
"Almighty! do you suppose that I sit here to answer riddles ?" replied Jan, pulling at his great beard.