Page:Later Life (1919).djvu/82

74 "No, nobody. But I musn't dictate to you."

"Why shouldn't you, in this case?"

Van der Welcke came rushing down the stairs, followed by Addie:

"This is jolly of you, Max! Let's have a look at the old machine. She's a first-rater! And here's my boy . . . Addie, eat a bit of bread and butter, quick; then we'll drop you at your school."

Addie laughed, quietly ate his bread and butter without sitting down:

"I've lots of time," he said.

"So much the better . . . we'll drive you round a bit first. Quick, quick! Take your bread and butter with you in your hand!"

He rushed like a madman through the dining-room and hall, hunted for his hat, couldn't find it, shouted up the stairs, made Truitje look all over the place for his gloves, created a breezy draught all through the house. At last, he was ready:

"If only I can manage the old sewing-machine! . . . Tock-tock-tock-tock, tock-tock-tock-tock! . . . Good-bye, Constance . . ."

He shoved Addie in front of him, made him get into the car, settled himself:

"We're off, Brauws!"

"Good-bye, mevrouw. Till to-morrow then!"

He ran out. Constance looked out of the window: they drove off, with Addie between them,