Page:Max Havelaar; or, the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company (IA dli.granth.77827).pdf/334

 he is an ardent servant, and sticks to his work. “Oh,” said he, “young friend (the preamble was as above), can you remain insensible when you think of what shall become of you when once you are counted amongst the goats on the left hand”

Thereupon the rogue burst out laughingI mean Fredand Mary laughed too. I even thought that I perceived something like a laugh on my wife’s face. But then I helped Wawelaar: I punished Fred with a fine out of his money-box to the missionary society.

But all this touches me deeply. And could any one take pleasure in hearing stories about buffaloes and the Javanese with such grievances of his own? What is a buffalo to the salvation of Fred? What do I care about the affairs of those people away there, when I have to fear that Fred will spoil my business by his unbelief, and that he will never become a good broker? For W. himself has said, that God so directs all things that orthodoxy leads to wealth! “Look only,” he said, “is there not much wealth in Holland? That is because of the Faith. Is there not in France every day murder and homicide? That is because there are Roman Catholics there. Are not the Javanese poor? They are Pagans. The more the Dutch have to do with the Javanese, the more wealth will be here, and the more poverty there.”

I am astonished at Wawelaar’s penetration. For it is the truth, that I, who am exact in religion, see that my