IV[1]
November 1899.
O DEAREST, dearest Mevrouwtje, what a delightful Sunday we had yesterday!
Father went out with my little brother, and after awhile they came back home. Brother, with great excitement, ran to me and said, "0 sister, there is a man-of-war in the harbour; all the streets are filled with sailors, and two of them have come home with us, they are with Father now."
At the word "warship," we sprang up as though we had been shot, and before brother had finished speaking, we flew to our room to make ready. We saw two gentlemen dressed in white, come hesitating — through the grounds. After a little while, we saw them sitting with Pa in the middle gallery. Later, a boy came to us, saying that we must go to Father, which we did with the greatest willingness. One, two, three, and we had slipped on our best kabaais,[2] and a second later we were sitting in rocking-chairs talking to two officers from the Edie. I do not know how it came about, but we were immediately at our ease and spoke to the gentlemen as though we had known them for years. But how did these people happen to come to kaboepatin? I will explain that to you. Papa went, as I have said, for a little drive; he met
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