"Constance," said Adolphine, taking her hand, "it is so kind of you . . . and I am so grateful. . . ."
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"My dear, what a fuss you make!" said Constance. "I'm your sister and Marietje is my niece. But . . ."
"But what?"
"It certainly is kind . . . of Henri."
"Yes, it's very nice of your husband."
"You see, it's his house."
"Yes . . . and he had so many calls on him," said Adolphine, humbly. "Constance, won't you let me pay something . . . for Marietje's keep? So much a month, I mean . . . until she's a little better. . . ."
"You'd better not bother to do that, Adolphine."
"You have so many expenses."
"Yes, but you've plenty of use for your money too."
"What I mean is . . . it's your husband's money."
"I know. But Henri would rather you didn't pay anything . . . really."
"Really?"
"I'm sure of it. If you or Van Saetzema wrote him a line . . . he'd like that."
"Of course I shall. I shall thank him myself."
"And you'll come and see the child whenever you like, won't you, Adolphine?"
"Yes, Constance, I will. . . . What a pity it is that you don't live in the Hague!"
"Why?"
"Oh, the Hague is so much our town, our family town; and your house, now that Mamma is so old, is certainly the house . . . of the family, the centre, so to speak. . . ."
