Sarith had certainly noticed how this blond young man, fresh from Holland, still with rosy cheeks, had looked in her direction on several occasions. She had greeted him with a slight nod early that morning when Rutger had set her down near the Platte Brug.
She did not feel like talking: she had too much to think about. What kind of situation had she got herself into? Was she in love with Elza’s husband? She would certainly not wish to upset Elza, not Elza of all people. They had always been such good friends. But how, then, had it happened that Rutger had so obviously fallen victim to her charms? Had she encouraged him? No, she thought not, or perhaps she had? In any case, she did have to admit to herself that she had not discouraged him. Oh, as always it had begun as a game, but because she was constantly in his company, it had of itself become more serious. But, well, fortunately nothing dramatic had happened: a few passionate kisses, nothing more.
She had, however, noticed that Elza had also seen what was going on, and because of this she had felt less at ease the past few weeks. She had remained in her room in the morning, going out immediately and staying out until Rutger would be back. In this way she avoided being alone with Elza. It made no sense, in fact, his being married to Elza. If she had wanted, he would have been married to her if she had paid more attention to him when he was getting to know them both. But, in fact, she didn’t really have an office assistant in her sights: that was all right for girls who were less pretty than her, such as Elza. She wanted a plantation owner. Although, Rutger had the chance to become administrator, of course, but heaven knows how long that would take. She would not want to live in a simple house with front hall, dining room, two bedrooms and only six slaves, and not even a carriage. But fine – now the Jewish teacher would be coming to stay at Hébron. That was something different. A Jewish teacher who was also assistant-rabbi and would later be rabbi. That was someone with prestige and position. The teacher’s house on the corner of the Heerenstraat and Klipstenenstraat was a beautiful dwelling, and his annual earnings would be quite respectable, too. For of course Abraham would succumb to her charms and she would certainly see to it that he asked her to marry him. She was, after all, nineteen years old – just, the previous month. No, it was now really time to get married. Just imagine that she might be left on the shelf, the most beautiful of all the girls of her age.
During the hottest part of the day she occasionally dozed off. Mini-mini sat in front of her with a large fan made of feathers and now and then poured her something to drink from the large basket with food and drink that was always well filled on journeys.
Once at Hébron and while sitting with her mother in the front room after their afternoon rest, Sarith had to recount everything she had been doing during her two months in town, and in her turn she had asked her mother when precisely Abraham Cohen would be arriving and had he not got bored during the previous visit.
Mama answered, “Apparently not, otherwise he would not want to come along during the return journey and stay here,” but she said nothing more about this. She said only that he was so pleasant and so considerate, so full of interest in everything, and how she had thought then what a pity it was that Sarith wasn’t there to keep him company.
A few days later the tent boat of the Jewish authorities came and moored. Sarith was already standing on the jetty. Rebecca, too, was standing at the waterside. Sarith had noticed this and was surprised, since Rebecca hardly ever bothered herself with lodgers or strangers, but she gave it no further thought. With a smile Abraham Cohen came towards her.
“Oh Miss Sarith, you’re at home, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Is that so?” Sarith asked with a provocative laugh.
Abraham looked at her briefly, laughing, and then turned and had walked with outstretched arms towards Rebecca.
“Rebecca, how wonderful to see you again.”
He then took her arm and together they walked back towards the house, stopping occasionally so that he could talk to her while looking her in the face.
Sarith was astounded. Was this the shy, inhibited Rebecca, who hardly ever said anything? She saw a young woman in the bloom of her existence, without a trace of shyness, but rather talking and laughing and not worrying at all about her monotonous voice. So it was Rebecca Abraham had returned to see, can you imagine. Now that Sarith looked more closely she saw that Rebecca was wearing a new, pretty gown and that her hair was elegantly styled. And Abraham, who was enjoying Rebecca’s company so much as she walked alongside him, cast not a glance at Sarith.
Oh, thought Sarith, of course this was all because there had been no-one else at the plantation when he was here the previous time. But now Sarith was there, it would be a real disappointment for Rebecca, for of course he would prefer to be with Sarith. Who would want a deaf woman?