The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad: shape of a child. He knew his master spoke to a child from
certain expressions and words his master used. His master spoke
in Malay a little, but mostly in English, which he, Ali, could
understand. Master spoke to the child at times tenderly, then he
would weep over it, laugh at it, scold it, beg of it to go away;
curse it. It was a bad and stubborn spirit. Ali thought his
master had imprudently called it up, and now could not get rid of
it. His master was very brave; he was not afraid to curse this
spirit in the very Presence; and once he fought with it. Ali had
heard a great noise as of running about inside the room and
groans. His master groaned. Spirits do not groan. His master
 Almayer's Folly |