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24 better not say that to Uncle Gerrit, or you can look out for squalls."

"Addie, I've met with so many squalls in my dear Holland that I feel like blowing away myself, away from everybody . . ."

"Including your son?"

"No, my boy. I missed you. I thought of you every day. I am so glad to see you again. But I did think to myself that we should have done better never to come back to Holland."

"Yes," said Van der Welcke, thoughtfully.

"We could have lived at Nice, if we liked."

"Yes," Van der Welcke admitted, a little dubiously, "but you were longing for your family."

She clenched her little hand and struck the table with it:

"And you!" she cried. "Didn't you long for your parents, for your country?"

"But not so much as you did."

"And who thought it necessary for Addie? I didn't!" she exclaimed, in a shrill voice. "I didn't for a moment! It was you!"

"Oh, d," said Addie, almost breaking into an oath. "My dearest parents, for Heaven's sake don't begin quarrelling at once, for I assure the two of you that, if you do, I'll blow away and I'll go to Nice . . . money or no money!"

Van der Welcke and Constance gave one roar and Addie joined in the laugh.