Page:Dr Adriaan (1918).djvu/102

96 advised me to go to Addie. . . and talk to him about Marietje. Perhaps one day, when he comes to the Hague, he might see Marietje. . . . Do you think he could be persuaded to, Constance?"

"Certainly, Adolphine. Of course he will, gladly."

"I hear such good accounts of him . . . as a doctor."

"Yes, he is getting a very big practice."

"And making a lot of money. . . ."

"Well, not so very much, I believe."

"Ah, perhaps he's right, as a young doctor, to be reasonable in his charges! . . . You see, Constance, that . . . that's really why I came down."

"You were quite right, Adolphine. Addie will be home presently and then you can talk to him yourself. . . . Poor Marietje: I'm sorry she's so ill. How old is she now?"

"Twenty-six."

"I remember: she's a year younger than Addie."

"Who would have thought, Constance, that you would come and live here . . . with Mamma . . . and Adeline . . . and the children? . . . But Mamma always liked you best. I should have been glad to have Mamma with me . . . but it's better as it is; our house is so tiny. . . . Does Addie come to the Hague often? Would he be able to treat Marietje regularly?"

"He would go specially."

"He hypnotizes, doesn't he?"

"Very often, I believe."

"Do you like that?"

"Addie often gets very remarkable results."

"I don't very much fancy it. I shouldn't like him to hypnotize Marietje. But, if it's essential . . ."

The gong sounded.

"Is that for lunch?"