He went out again on the verandah and stood by the table thinking.

The monkey jumped down, and, snatching a banana skin, absorbed itself in picking it to shreds industriously.
"Forget!" muttered Almayer, and that word started before him a sequence of events, a detailed programme of things to do.

He knew perfectly well what was to be done now.

First this, then that, and then forgetfulness would come easy.

Very easy.