“I am therefore compelled to relieve you of the further fulfilment of your duties as Assistant-Resident of Lebak.
“In view, however, of former favourable reports received about you, I have not wished to find a reason in what has occurred to deprive you of the prospect of another appointment with the Internal Administration. I have, therefore, provisionally charged you with the performance of the function of Assistant-Resident at Ngawi.
“On your future actions in that position it will wholly depend whether it will be possible for you to remain employed with the Internal Administration.”
And below this was written the name of the man on whose “zeal, ability, and loyalty” the King said he was able to rely, when signing his appointment as Governor-General of Netherlands India.
“We are leaving here, dearest Tine,” said Havelaar resignedly, and he handed the missive from Cabinet to Verbrugge, who read the document together with Duclari.
Verbrugge had tears in his eyes, but said nothing. Duclari, a particularly refined man, burst out in a savage oath:
“God damn! I have seen scoundrels and thieves in the Government here . . . they have left with full honours, and to You a letter like this is written!”
“It is nothing,” said Havelaar; “the Governor-General is an honest man: he must have been deceived . . . although he could have guarded against this deceit by hearing me first. He has been caught in the web of Buitenzorg officialdom. We know that kind of thing! But I will go to him and show him how matters stand here. He will do justice, I am certain!”
“But if you go to Ngawi . . .”
“Exactly, I know! At Ngawi the Regent is related to the Court of Djokja. I know Ngawi, for I was two years at Baglen, which is in the vicinity. I should be compelled at Ngawi to do exactly
