Page:Small Souls (1919).djvu/371



was in her bedroom one morning, arranging all sorts of things, when the servant came and said:

“Mrs. van Saetzema is here, ma’am.”

Constance’ eyelashes trembled and her lips contracted. She would have liked to make an excuse, to say that she was not at home; but she refrained because of the maid:

“Very well, Truitje; ask her to come up.”

Adolphine came upstairs noisily, with elaborate gaiety:

“Good-morning, Constance, how are you? We hardly ever see you now. I say, have you been ill?”

“No.”

“You are not looking well. Why is it so dark in here?”

“Dark?”

“Yes, I should feel stifled in a light like this. Oh, of course, it’s the trees opposite! They take away all the light. My goodness, this is a gloomy house of yours! Aren’t your husband and boy back yet?”

“No.”

“I say, why didn’t you go with them?”

“For no special reason.”

“They’re a very particular old couple, aren’t they,