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Rh “Yes, I heard them saying so all over the room.”

“Not really?”

“Yes, as I moved about among the people, I heard it whispered on every side, like a rumour: ‘Have you noticed the satin of Floortje’s dress? . . . I say, did you notice the satin of Floortje’s dress? . . .’”

Adolphine looked vaguely in front of her, not knowing what to believe:

“Well, that frock cost. . . a hundred and twenty guilders!” she said, lying to the extent of forty guilders; and, radiant, she went on and talked to Mrs. Bruys, the wife of the editor of the Fonograaf:

“And, mevrouw, what do you say to my party?”

“Paul,” said Adeline, in gentle reproach, “I was really frightened that Adolphine would notice. . . .”