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162 really to go to Nunspeet. . . . Mamma's written to me, so has Adeline. . . but I don't know how to fit it in."

"How do you mean, to fit it in?"

"Well, with the things I've got to do here."

"But what is it you've got to do?"

"Oh, Gerrit, nothing really that would interest you! . . . The point is that I'm good enough for Nunspeet . . . but then of course they only want me to be nurse to your children."

"Why, Dorine!"

"That's it, of course!" she said, tartly. "To be nurse to your children!"

"I don't think you need be afraid of that. Line has the governess with her. . . ."

"Well, then why does everybody want to get me down to Nunspeet: Mamma, Adeline, you? . . . I can't do anything for Ernst, because Ernst upsets me too much. . . ."

"But, Dorine, to give you a change . . . as you're so lonely here. . . ."

"Lonely? . . . Lonely?" echoed Dorine.

She drank her last sip of water and said:

"I don't mind being lonely. . . ."

"Yes, I know that, but still it's rather comfortless."

"I like being lonely. I think it very cosy and comfortable."

"You think it cosy?"