But my father, who had been a silent but not unobservant witness of all this scene, coming to the conclusion that after what had happened we should scarcely be welcome there, and that the company of Pereira was to be avoided just now, went up to Marais and bade him farewell, saying that we would send for my mare.
"Not so, not so," he answered, "you are my guests to-night.

Also, fear not, Hernan will be away.

He has gone a journey upon some business." As my father hesitated, Marais added: "Friend, I pray you to come, for I have some important words to say to you, which cannot be said here." Then my father gave way, to my delight and relief.

For if he had not, what chance would there have been of my getting some still more important words with Marie?
So having collected the geese and the two falcons, which I proposed to skin for Marie, I was helped into the cart, and we drove off, reaching Maraisfontein just as night set in.
That evening, after we had eaten, Heer Marais asked my father and myself to speak with him in the sitting-room.

By an afterthought also, or so it seemed to me, he told his daughter, who had been clearing away the dishes and with whom as yet I had found no opportunity to talk, to come in with us and close the door behind her.
When all were seated and we men had lit our pipes, though apprehension of what was to follow quite took away my taste for smoking, Marais spoke in English, which he knew to a certain extent.