CHAPTER VII 

THE SIN OF VROUW BOTMAR 

When the meat was cleared away I bade Suzanne go to bed, which she did most unwillingly, for knowing the errand of these men she wished to hear our talk. As soon as she was gone I took a seat so that the light of the candles left my face in shadow and fell full on those of the three men--a wise thing to do if one is wicked enough to intend to tell lies about any matter--and said: 

"Now, here I am at your service; be pleased to set out the business that you have in hand." 

Then they began, the lawyer, speaking through the interpreter, asking, "Are you the Vrouw Botmar?" 

"That is my name." 

"Where is your husband, Jan Botmar?" 

"Somewhere on the veldt; I do not know where." 

"Will he be back to-morrow?" 

"No." 

"When will he be back?" 

"Perhaps in two months, perhaps in three, I cannot tell." 

At this they consulted together, and then went on: 

"Have you living with you a young Englishman named Ralph Mackenzie?" 

"One named Ralph Kenzie lives with us." 

"Where is he?" 

"With my husband on the veldt. I do not know where." 

"Can you find him?" 

"No, the veldt is very wide. If you wish to see him you must wait till he comes back." 

"When will that be?" 

"I am not his nurse and cannot tell; perhaps in three months, perhaps six." 

Now again they consulted, and once more went on: 
Who was sitting in the light?
Who were they speaking to?
What did the men want to know?
Were they policeman?
Who spoke for him?
Did Vrouw intend to tell the truth?
Where did she say he was?
And returning when?
Who had she sent away  earlier?
Where to?
Did she want to go?
Who else lives in the home?
Had the men asked about him?
Did they use the same surname?
Where did she claim he was?
With Jan?
Did they go to find him?
Why was it not possible?
Is she his nurse?
So what must the men do to see him?
Vrouw Botmar?"
As soon as she was gone I took a seat so that the light of the candles left my face in shadow and fell full on those of the three men--a wise thing to do if one is wicked enough to intend to tell lies about any matter--and said: 

"Now, here I am at your service; be pleased to set out the business that you have in hand." 

Then they began, the lawyer, speaking through the interpreter, asking, "Are you the Vrouw Botmar?" 
three men
 and fell full on those of the three men
Where is Jan Botma
Where is your husband, Jan Botma
One is a lawyer
Then they began, the lawyer, speaking through the interpreter, 
the interpreter
speaking through the interpreter
no
 wise thing to do if one is wicked enough to intend to tell lies about any matter
Somewhere on the veldt
Somewhere on the veldt; I do not know where.
Perhaps in two months, perhaps in three
Perhaps in two months, perhaps in three
Suzanne
When the meat was cleared away I bade Suzanne go to bed
to bed
When the meat was cleared away I bade Suzanne go to bed
no
which she did most unwillingly, 
Ralph Kenzie
One named Ralph Kenzie lives with us
Possibly the same
Have you living with you a young Englishman named Ralph Mackenzie?
No
Have you living with you a young Englishman named Ralph Mackenzie?" 

"One named Ralph Kenzie lives with us.
on the veldt.
With my husband on the veldt.
yes
With my husband on the veldt.
no
If you wish to see him you must wait till he comes back.
the veldt is very wide.
No, the veldt is very wide.
no
I am not his nurse and cannot tell;
wait till he comes back
 If you wish to see him you must wait till he comes back