Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/60

38 nothing. But it is my great hope that some day I shall study all about it, even  though I never become a physician.”

While they were talking, Vrouw Voorhaas gathered up her work and without a word,  left the room. No sooner had she gone than Gysbert leaned across the table, and spoke  to his sister in a voice scarcely above a whisper:

“Jacqueline, now that Vrouw Voorhaas is out of the way, I want to tell thee several  things, some of which I learned to-day. One thing I have fully made up my mind to do,—I am going to become a ‘jumper’!”

“A ‘jumper,’ Gysbert! And what may that be?”

“Why, I might as well begin at the beginning and explain it all,” he answered. “Thou knowest the siege has lasted now for over a month, and things are beginning to  look black for us. There is no more bread in the city, and but very little of the malt-cakes  on which we are all now living. Precious