Page:Max Havelaar; or, the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company (IA dli.granth.77827).pdf/223

 “What is not necessary?”

“I had told them to make something ready in the kitchen—an omeletor some such thing.”

“Ah and that is not necessary, because I have begun my story—that is naughty, Tine. Very well, as far as I am concerned; but these gentlemen have also a voice in the matter. Verbrugge! what do you like?—your share of the omelet or the story?”

“That is a difficult choice for a polite man,” said Verbrugge.

“Nor should I like to choose,” added Duclari, “for it would be a verdict between man and wife; and”

“Entre l’écorce et le bois, il ne faut pas mettre le doigt.”

“I will help you, gentlemen, the omelet is”

“Madam,” said the courteous Duclari, “the omelet will certainly be worth as much”

“As the story? Certainly, if it is worth anything; but there is a difficulty”

“I wager that there is no sugar in the house,” said Verbrugge; “pray fetch from mine whatever you want.”

“There sugar, from Madam Slotering; no, it is not that. If the omelet were good, that would not matter”

“What then, Madam; has it fallen into the fire?”

“I wish it had. No, it cannot fall into the fire; it is”

“But, Tine,” said Havelaar, “what is it then?”

“It is imponderable, Max! as your women at Arles