Things Seen in Holland
close-cropped, and the women and girls who adopt this style—among them are to be named the Volendammers—wear under the white cap with cornettes, or “ears,” a black skull-cap which does not permit of more than a short “fringe” to be visible. Nay, more than that, it is considered indecent for a girl to allow her head to be seen bare. I can recall an instance when, in the course of a frolic between two Volendam maidens, one of them tore off the other's skull-cap; the uncovered one screamed with shame, and quickly threw her outer skirt over her head, while the older women upbraided the offender for her shameless deed, and cuffed her soundly, full-grown lass though she was. Several men were present, and in this did the indecency consist. On the other hand, the tow-headed, hard-featured, and saucy girls of the Island of Marken, but a short sail across the Zuider Zee from
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