Page:Twilight of the Souls (1917).djvu/21

Rh began by telling you: Miss Velders, the creature who keeps the rooms where Ernst lives. . . came and made a frightful scene. . . and upset Mamma awfully. . . and Mamma sent for me. Why me? Why always me? What can I do? I'm not a man! Why not Karel? Why not you? . . . Oh dear no: Mamma of course sent for me!. . . Off I went to Mamma's, found Mamma quite ill, that horrible creature there. . . . Then I went off with Miss Velders. . . first to Karel's. . . but Karel was absolutely indifferent. . . a selfish pig, a selfish pig: that's what Karel is. . . . Miss Velders had to go home. . . . Then I went off to Ernst. . . and, when I had seen him, I came on to you. . . . Gerrit, you're a man. . . you know about things, you know what to do; I'm a woman. . . and I do not know what's to be done!"

Her voice was now a wail and she burst into tears.

"But, Sissy, I don't yet know what's happened!" said Gerrit, quietly.

"Why, Ernst, I'm telling you . . . Ernst, I'm telling you . . ."

"What about him?"

"He's mad!"

"He's mad?"

"Yes, he's mad! . . . He wanted to go out into the street last night: he's mad! . . ."