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162 “Of old Van Lowe’s.”

“I say, Auntie, this is scurrilous!”

“Adelientje!”

“Auntie, I won’t listen to another word!”

Cousins of the Van Saetzemas’, talking with the IJkstras, relations of Cateau’s:

“Poor dear Adolphine!”

“She’s furious!”

“What at?”

“Oh, all sorts of things! First, because the Van Naghels gave a party at which the whole family were ignored.”

“Oh, well, that certainly was rather. . .”

“Then, because Adolphine has no room in her house to give a party at which she would ignore the family in her turn.”

“And because of the seat which she was given at dinner this evening.”

“And because of Emilietje’s two witnesses: her Uncle Van Naghel, the Queen’s Commissary in Overijssel, and Karel van Lowe, whereas she says that Van Saetzema is older than Karel and therefore. . .”

“And also because of Emilietje’s frock, because that flimsy white thing came from Brussels and cost three hundred francs.”

“What a heap Van Naghel must be spending on the wedding!”

“No, it’s Bertha: it’s the Van Lowes who always throw money about.”