Page:Max Havelaar Or The Coffee Sales of the Netherlands Trading Company Siebenhaar.djvu/95



Resident of Bantam introduced the Regent and the Controller to the new Assistant-Resident. Havelaar spoke to both officials some courteous words of greeting. He made the Controller feel at ease—there is always something unpleasant in meeting a new chief—by addressing him cordially, as if he wished at once to introduce a more or less familiar tone, which would smooth the path of official intercourse. His meeting with the Regent was such as was due to a person who carried the gilt payong, but who at the same time was to be his. With courtly affability, he chid him for his too zealous dutifulness, which in such weather had made him come to the border of his division, for, strictly speaking, according to the rule of etiquette, the Regent need not have done this.

“Really, Adhipatti, I am cross with you for having gone to such trouble on my behalf! I had only expected to meet you at Rangkas-Betoong.”

“I wished to meet the Assistant-Resident as soon as possible, to become friends,” said the Adhipatti.

“Certainly, certainly, I feel greatly honoured! But I do not like to see one of your rank and years over-exerting himself. And that on horseback, too!”

“Yes, Mr. Havelaar! When the Service calls, I am still alert and strong.”

“Ah, but this would have been expecting too much of you! Wouldn’t it, Resident?”

“The Adhipatti. Is. Very”

“True, but there are limits.”