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118 "But what for?"

"Why, to be free of her husband."

"Of Van der Welcke?"

"Yes."

"To get . . . rid of him?"

"Of course. He's young . . . and she's old," said Floortje, not sparing her mother, who was only four years younger than Constance.

"But do you believe . . .?" said Uncle, nodding his head.

"Oh, no, I don't say that!"

"But still . . ."

"I expect it's only just spooning . . . as Jaap says."

"I don't think!" said Jaap, with a knowing grin.

"Behave yourself, Jaap!" said Adolphine, angry because Floortje had used the word "old."

"Rats!" said Jaap, rudely, shrugging his shoulders, as much as to say that Mamma was an idiot.

"I'll eat my hat if it's only spooning."

They looked at one another: Uncle, Adolphine and Floortje.

"You mustn't speak like that," said Adolphine, in a tone of reprimand, "when you don't know . . ."

"And what does Floortje know and what do you know? And you are both just as bad as I am, with your insinuations. . . . Only, I say what you and Floortje think . . ."