Page:Small Souls (1919).djvu/28

20 “Constance is our sister. . . .”

“Our sister, our sister! If my sister misconducts herself. . . .”

“Adolphine, Constance has been married to Van der Welcke for fourteen years; and there comes a time when one overlooks. . . .”

“But what are you going to do? Will you have her at your house?”

“Yes, of course.”

Adolphine had it at the tip of her jealous tongue to say, “And I suppose you’ll ask her to your big dinners,” but she restrained herself.

The younger nephews and nieces were also busily talking:

“Isn’t she here yet?”

“No, she’s coming later.”

“Is she old?”

“She’s between Uncle Gerrit and Aunt Adolphine. . . .”

“How nervous Grandmamma is!”

“Oh, she doesn’t strike me so! . . .”

“Why is she so late?”

“To make a triumphal entry. . . .”

“Oh, triumphal!” said Floortje, Adolphine’s daughter. “That would be the finishing touch!”

“There she is!”

“Yes, I hear some one on the stairs.”

“Granny’s gone outside to meet her.”

“And Aunt Dorine, too.”

“I’m awfully curious to. . . .”