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74. . . And what will your husband do without his boy?"

"He will come down occasionally. And he is going away for a holiday with Van Vreeswijck. . . . I only came back to tell you that Ernst is all right. I'm going back to Nunspeet this afternoon. And from there I shall look Bertha up, at Baarn."

"I'm going to Mamma's too," said Emilie, softly.

When they saw that the old woman was tired, Constance and Emilie rose:

"We must go, Mamma. . . ."

"Yes, child. But don't leave me too long alone. When shall I see you again?"

"In three days."

"So long?"

"The others will come and see you: Aunt Lot, Dorine, Adolphine. . . ."

"Yes, but I am too much alone. I can't understand it: I never used to be alone. I don't like being alone. I'm not accustomed to it. What do all of you do? . . ."

"Suppose you took Dorine to live with you, Mamma? . . ."

"No, no . . . not to live with me, not to live with me. Every one should be free. But they might come and see me sometimes. I never see Adeline's children now. . . ."

"Why, Mamma, I know they were here two days ago!"