"The white men's rewards are long in coming," he said.

"White men are quick in anger and slow in gratitude.
We shall see." He stood at the gate stroking his grey beard and listening to the distant cries of greeting at the other end of the settlement.

As Taminah was turning to go he called her back.
"Listen, girl," he said: "there will be many white men in Almayer's house.

You shall be there selling your cakes to the men of the sea.

What you see and what you hear you may tell me.