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Rh just died. . . . There is nothing more to come for me. I've no illusions left. Not one. Even your boy, Connie: what an idea, to want to be a doctor! How do we know if he's suited for it? . . . It's a good thing that you're back. I couldn't do without you. . . . Is the old man over there going to remain all alone, in that big house. . . just as I remained all alone here?"

"No, Mamma, he won't be alone. There's a cousin coming to live with him: you know, old Freule van der Welcke. . . ."

"No, I don't remember. I often muddle people and names."

"Cousin Betsy van der Welcke. . . ."

"No, I don't remember. . . ."

"She's coming to live with the old man. We would have liked him to have had a companion to keep house for him . . . because Cousin Betsy herself is so old."

"A companion, a companion: you want everybody to have a companion. So the old man will be all alone. . . ."

"No, Mamma, the old cousin's coming."

"Which old cousin?"

"Cousin Betsy van der Welcke."

"Who?"

"Cousin Betsy, Mamma."