Page:Twilight of the Souls (1917).djvu/84

76 Emilie dismissed the fly. Indoors, she removed her hat, took off the tulle boa, lost something of her exaggerated smartness. . ..

"We have an hour left before lunch, Emilie," said Constance. "Come up to my bedroom. I want to talk to you."

They went upstairs; Constance shut the door:

"Tell me, Emilie . . . how are you living, in Paris? . . ."

"With Henri, Auntie."

"With Henri . . . but why, Emilie? Why keep your brother from his work? . . ."

"I don't, Auntie. He doesn't want to do that sort of work. He wants to be free; and so do I."

"Free . . . in what way?"

"We don't feel ourselves suited . . . to Dutch life. . . ."

"But why not?"

"I don't know: an exotic drop of blood in our veins, perhaps. Try to understand, Auntie . . . you have lived abroad a long time yourself. Holland is so narrow . . . and I . . . I have suffered too much in Holland."

"Dear, I suffered . . . away from my country; and I longed for my country when I had not seen it for years."

"You will understand all the same. Auntie, do understand. I can't possibly live in Holland again; nor Henri either."