"Kaspar! Makan!" The well-known shrill voice startled Almayer from his dream of splendid future into the unpleasant realities of the present hour.

An unpleasant voice too.

He had heard it for many years, and with every year he liked it less.

No matter; there would be an end to all this soon.
He shuffled uneasily, but took no further notice of the call.

Leaning with both his elbows on the balustrade of the verandah, he went on looking fixedly at the great river that flowed--indifferent and hurried--before his eyes.