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320 "We will, won't we? We must try . . . to bring ourselves into harmony with her as far as possible. . . ."

"Yes, yes, I will try."

"And all of us."

"Yes, all of us."

"That's so, Gerdy, isn't it? We must all . . ."

"What did you say, Addie?"

"I was saying, Gerdy, if Mathilde comes back, later on . . ."

"Yes . . ."

"Would you be willing to try . . . with all of us, with Papa and Mamma, with every one of us . . . to get into harmony with her as far as possible, so that she . . ."

"Yes, oh, Addie, yes! I'll try!"

"You will?"

"Oh, yes! . . . If she comes back, I'll try, Addie, I'll try."

"My dear, listen to it blowing."

"That's our wind, Mamma."

"Yes, always."

Marietje and Adeletje had now gone into the dining-room; Adeline and Emilie came after them.

"Why is it so dark in there?" asked Marietje.

"Grandmamma's taking a nap."

"We must take her to bed," said Constance.

Adeletje turned up the gas.

"Auntie!" cried Marietje, in alarm.

"What is it, dear?"

"Oh, Auntie, Auntie . . . come here!"

Constance came in, with Addie and Gerdy.

"Is Grandmamma . . . is Grandmamma . . .?" stammered Marietje, aghast.

They all looked at the old woman. She was sitting as usual, sitting quietly in her big chair, with