Things Seen in Holland
even fall to the luck of a traveller to be taken up by some prominent citizen, who, noticing that he is particularly interested in some one thing, will come up, politely tender him his assistance, and place at his disposal whatever information he may possess on the subject absorbing the stranger. From that there is but one step to being done the honours of your newly-found friend's house. This will not take place all at once, for the Dutchman is observant, cautious, and of an inquiring turn of mind. He will first have found out something about you, but when once he has opened his door to you, thereafter you will always find it on the latch. Most proud is he to supply you with facts, for what he dreads—he is very sensitive and very proud of his country—is that erroneous statements may be spread abroad about it. Should ladies accompany you, they are
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