Page:Max Havelaar Or The Coffee Sales of the Netherlands Trading Company Siebenhaar.djvu/97

 could not be a cause for blaming those who were less quick, or who were not used to his quickness, if in such a case they stared at him with the unspoken question on their lips: “Are you mad or what is the matter?”

Something like this showed itself in the expression of Verbrugge’s face, and Havelaar had to repeat the question, before the Controller answered:

“Yes, he has a very large family.”

“And are there Medjeets being built in the division?” continued Havelaar, again in a tone which, in contradiction with the words themselves, seemed to indicate a connection between those mosques and the “large family” of the Regent.

Verbrugge answered that undoubtedly there was a good deal of labour being applied to mosques.

“Yes, yes, I knew it!” exclaimed Havelaar. “And just tell me, now, whether there are considerable arrears in the payments of land-rent.”

“Yes, they might be better.”

“Exactly! and especially in the district of Parang Koodyang,” said Havelaar, as though it were easier for him to answer his own questions. “What is the estimate for the current year?” he continued, and noticing that Verbrugge hesitated a little, as if reflecting upon his answer, Havelaar forestalled him, continuing as in one breath:

“Right, right, I know it already eighty-six thousand and a few hundred  fifteen thousand more than last year  but only six thousand above ’55. Since ’53 we have only advanced eight thousand also, the population is very thin  yes, of course, Malthus! In twelve years we have only risen eleven per cent, and this is still questionable, for the earlier censuses were very inaccurate and they are still! From ’50 to ’51 there is even retrogression. And also the live-stock figures are not progressing that’s a bad sign, Verbrugge! The deuce! look at