"What's that to you, to her, to anybody?
The man wants to collect trepang and birds' nests on the islands.

He told me so, that Rajah of yours.

He will come to-morrow.

I want you both to keep away from the house, and let me attend to my business in peace." Dain Maroola came the next day and had a long conversation with Almayer.
This was the beginning of a close and friendly intercourse which, at first, was much remarked in Sambir, till the population got used to the frequent sight of many fires burning in Almayer's campong, where Maroola's men were warming themselves during the cold nights of the north- east monsoon, while their master had long conferences with the Tuan Putih--as they styled Almayer amongst themselves.

Great was the curiosity in Sambir on the subject of the new trader.