CONTENTS
THEBIRDONITSJOURNEY，BeatriceHarradenKOOSJE：ASTUDYOFDUTCHLIFE，JohnStrangeWinterADOGOFFLANDERS，OuidaMARKHEIM，R。L。StevensonQUEENTITA’SWAGER，WilliamBlackTHEBIRDONITSJOURNEY
BY
BEATRICEHARRADEN
ItwasaboutfourintheafternoonwhenayounggirlcameintothesalonofthelittlehotelatC————inSwitzerland，anddrewherchairuptothefire。
"Youaresoakedthrough，"saidanelderlylady，whowasherselftryingtogetroasted。"Yououghttolosenotimeinchangingyourclothes。"
"Ihavenotanythingtochange，"saidtheyounggirl，laughing。"Oh，I
shallsoonbedry！"
"Haveyoulostallyourluggage？"askedthelady，sympathetically。
"No，"saidtheyounggirl;"Ihadnonetolose。"Andshesmiledalittlemischievously，asthoughsheknewbyinstinctthathercompanion’ssympathywouldatoncedegenerateintosuspicion！
"Idon’tmeantosaythatIhavenotaknapsack，"sheadded，considerately。"Ihavewalkedalongdistance——infact，fromZ————。"
"Andwheredidyouleaveyourcompanions？"askedthelady，withatouchofforgivenessinhervoice。
"Iamwithoutcompanions，justasIamwithoutluggage，"laughedthegirl。
Andthensheopenedthepiano，andstruckafewnotes。Therewassomethingcaressinginthewayinwhichshetouchedthekeys;whoevershewas，sheknewhowtomakesweetmusic;sadmusic，too，fullofthatundefinablelonging，liketheholdingoutofone’sarmstoone’sfriendsinthehopelessdistance。
Theladybendingoverthefirelookedupatthelittlegirl，andforgotthatshehadbroughtneitherfriendsnorluggagewithher。Shehesitatedforonemoment，andthenshetookthechildishfacebetweenherhandsandkissedit。
"Thankyou，dear，foryourmusic，"shesaid，gently。
"Thepianoisterriblyoutoftune，"saidthelittlegirl，suddenly;
andsheranoutoftheroom，andcamebackcarryingherknapsack。
"Whatareyougoingtodo？"askedhercompanion。
"Iamgoingtotunethepiano，"thelittlegirlsaid;andshetookatuning-hammeroutofherknapsack，andbeganherworkinrealearnest。
Sheevidentlyknewwhatshewasabout，andpeggedawayatthenotesasthoughherwholelifedependedupontheresult。
Theladybythefirewaslostinamazement。Whocouldshebe？Withoutluggageandwithoutfriends，andwithatuning-hammer！
Meanwhileoneofthegentlemenhadstrolledintothesalon;buthearingthesoundoftuning，andbeinginsecretpossessionofnerves，hefled，saying，"Thetuner，byJove！"
AfewminutesafterwardMissBlake，whosenerveswerenosecretpossession，hastenedintothesalon，and，inherusualimperiousfashion，demandedinstantsilence。
"Ihavejustdone，"saidthelittlegirl。"Thepianowassoterriblyoutoftune，Icouldnotresistthetemptation。"
MissBlake，whoneverlistenedtowhatanyonesaid，tookitforgrantedthatthelittlegirlwasthetunerforwhomM。leProprietairehadpromisedtosend;andhavingbestowedonheracondescendingnod，passedoutintothegarden，whereshetoldsomeofthevisitorsthatthepianohadbeentunedatlast，andthatthetunerwasayoungwomanofrathereccentricappearance。
"Really，itisquiteabominablehowwomenthrustthemselvesintoeveryprofession，"sheremarked，inhermasculinevoice。"Itissounfeminine，sounseemly。"
TherewasnothingofthefeminineaboutMissBlake;herhorse-clothdress，herwaistcoatandhighcollar，andherbillycockhatwereofthemasculinegenus;evenhernervescouldnotbecalledfeminine，sincewelearnfromtwoorthreedoctors（takenofftheirguard）thatnervesareneitherfemininenormasculine，butcommon。
"Ishouldliketoseethistuner，"saidoneofthetennis-players，leaningagainstatree。
"Hereshecomes，"saidMissBlake，asthelittlegirlwasseensaunteringintothegarden。
Themenputuptheireye-glasses，andsawalittleladywithachildishfaceandsoftbrownhair，ofstrictlyfeminineappearanceandbearing。Thegoatcametowardherandbegannibblingatherfrock。Sheseemedtounderstandthemannerofgoats，andplayedwithhimtohisheart’scontent。Oneofthetennisplayers，OswaldEverardbyname，strolleddowntothebankwhereshewashavingherfrolic。
"Good-afternoon，"hesaid，raisinghiscap。"Ihopethegoatisnotworryingyou。Poorlittlefellow！thisishislastdayofplay。Heistobekilledto-morrowfor/tabled’hote/。"
"Whatashame！"shesaid。"Fancytobekilled，andthengrumbledat！"
"Thatispreciselywhatwedohere，"hesaid，laughing。"Wegrumbleateverythingweeat。AndIowntobeingoneofthegrumpiest;thoughtheladyinthehorse-clothdressyonderfollowscloseuponmyheels。"
"ShewastheladywhowasannoyedatmebecauseItunedthepiano，"
thelittlegirlsaid。"Still，ithadtobedone。Itwasplainlymyduty。Iseemedtohavecomeforthatpurpose。"
"Ithasbeenconfoundedlyannoyinghavingitoutoftune，"hesaid。
"I’vehadtogiveupsingingaltogether。Butwhatastrangeprofessionyouhavechosen！Veryunusual，isn’tit？"
"Why，surelynot，"sheanswered，amused。"Itseemstomethateveryotherwomanhastakentoit。Thewondertomeisthatanyoneeverscoresasuccess。Nowadays，however，noonecouldamassahugefortuneoutofit。"
"Noone，indeed！"repliedOswaldEverard，laughing。"Whatonearthmadeyoutaketoit？"
"Ittooktome，"shesaidsimply。"Itwrappedmeroundwithenthusiasm。Icouldthinkofnothingelse。IvowedthatIwouldrisetothetopofmyprofession。Iworkeddayandnight。Butitmeansincessanttoilforyearsifonewantstomakeanyheadway。"
"Goodgracious！Ithoughtitwasmerelyamatterofafewmonths，"hesaid，smilingatthelittlegirl。
"Afewmonths！"sherepeated，scornfully。"Youarespeakingthelanguageofanamateur。No;onehastoworkfaithfullyyearafteryear;tograspthepossibilities，andpassontogreaterpossibilities。Youimaginewhatitmustfeelliketotouchthenotes，andknowthatyouarekeepingthelistenersspellbound;thatyouaretakingthemintoafairy-landofsound，wherepettypersonalityislostinvaguelongingandregret。"
"IconfessIhadnotthoughtofitinthatway，"hesaid，humbly。"I
haveonlyregardeditasanecessaryevery-dayevil;andtobequitehonestwithyou，Ifailtoseenowhowitcaninspireenthusiasm。I
wishIcouldsee，"headded，lookingupattheengaginglittlefigurebeforehim。
"Nevermind，"shesaid，laughingathisdistress;"Iforgiveyou。And，afterall，youarenottheonlypersonwholooksuponitasanecessaryevil。Mypooroldguardianabominatedit。Hemademanysacrificestocomeandlistentome。HeknewIlikedtoseehiskindoldface，andthatthepresenceofarealfriendinspiredmewithconfidence。"
"Ishouldnothavethoughtitwasnervouswork，"hesaid。
"Tryitandsee，"sheanswered。"Butsurelyyouspokeofsinging。Areyounotnervouswhenyousing？"
"Sometimes，"hereplied，ratherstiffly。"Butthatisslightlydifferent。"（Hewasveryproudofhissinging，andmadeagreatfussaboutit。）"Yourprofession，asIremarkedbefore，isanunavoidablenuisance。WhenIthinkwhatIhavesufferedfromthegentlemenofyourprofession，IonlywonderthatIhaveanybrainsleft。ButIamuncourteous。"
"No，no，"shesaid;"letmehearaboutyoursufferings。"
"WheneverIhavespeciallywantedtobequiet，"hesaid——andthenheglancedatherchildishlittleface，andhehesitated。"Itseemssorudeofme，"headded。Hewasthesoulofcourtesy，althoughhewasanamateurtenorsinger。
"Pleasetellme，"thelittlegirlsaid，inherwinningway。
"Well，"hesaid，gatheringhimselftogether，"itistheonesubjectonwhichIcanbeeloquent。EversinceIcanremember，Ihavebeenworriedandtorturedbythoserascals。Ihavetriedineverywaytoescapefromthem，butthereisnohopeforme。Yes;Ibelievethatallthetunersintheuniverseareinleagueagainstme，andhavemarkedmeoutfortheirspecialprey。"
"/Allthewhat/？"askedthelittlegirl，withajerkinhervoice。
"Allthetuners，ofcourse，"hereplied，rathersnappishly。"Iknowthatwecannotdowithoutthem;butgoodheavens！theyhavenotact，noconsideration，nomercy。WheneverI’vewantedtowriteorreadquietly，thatfatalknockhascomeatthedoor，andI’veknownbyinstinctthatallchanceofpeacewasover。WheneverI’vebeengivingaluncheonparty，thetunerhasarrived，withhisabominableblackbag，andhisabominablecardwhichhastobesignedatonce。OnoneoccasionIwasjustproposingtoagirlinherfather’slibrarywhenthetunerstruckupinthedrawing-room。Ileftoffsuddenly，andfledfromthehouse。Butthereisnoescapefromthesefiends;Ibelievetheyareswarmingaboutintheairlikesomanybacteria。Andhow，inthenameofgoodness，youshoulddeliberatelychoosetobeoneofthem，andshouldbesoenthusiasticoveryourwork，puzzlesmebeyondallwords。Don’tsaythatyoucarryablackbag，andpresentcardswhichhavetobefilledupatthemostinconvenienttime;don’t——"
Hestoppedsuddenly，forthelittlegirlwasconvulsedwithlaughter。
Shelaugheduntilthetearsrolleddownhercheeks，andthenshedriedhereyesandlaughedagain。
"Excuseme，"shesaid;"Ican’thelpmyself;it’ssofunny。"
"Itmaybefunnytoyou，"hesaid，laughinginspiteofhimself;"butitisnotfunnytome。"
"Ofcourseitisn’t，"shereplied，makingadesperateefforttobeserious。"Well，tellmesomethingmoreaboutthesetuners。"
"Notanotherword，"hesaid，gallantly。"Iamashamedofmyselfasitis。Cometotheendofthegarden，andletmeshowyoutheviewdownintothevalley。"
Shehadconqueredherfitofmerriment，butherfaceworeasettledlookofmischief，andshewasevidentlythepossessorofsomesecretjoke。Sheseemedincapitalhealthandspirits，andhadsomuchtosaythatwasbrightandinterestingthatOswaldEverardfoundhimselfbecomingreconciledtothewholeraceoftuners。HewasamazedtolearnthatshehadwalkedallthewayfromZ————，andquitealone，too。
"Oh，Idon’tthinkanythingofthat，"shesaid;"Ihadasplendidtime，andIcaughtfourrarebutterflies。Iwouldnothavemissedthoseforanything。Asforthegoingaboutbymyself，thatisasecondnature。Besides，Idonotbelongtoanyone。Thathasitsadvantages，andIsupposeitsdisadvantages;butatpresentIhaveonlydiscoveredtheadvantages。Thedisadvantageswilldiscoverthemselves！"
"Ibelieveyouarewhatthenovelscallanadvancedyoungwoman，"hesaid。"Perhapsyougivelecturesonwoman’ssuffrage，orsomethingofthatsort？"
"Ihaveveryoftenmountedtheplatform，"sheanswered。"Infact，Iamneversohappyaswhenaddressinganimmenseaudience。Amostunfemininethingtodo，isn’tit？Whatwouldtheladyyonderinthehorse-clothdressandbillycockhatsay？Don’tyouthinkyououghttogoandhelpherdriveawaythegoat？Shelookssofrightened。Sheinterestsmedeeply。Iwonderwhethershehaswrittenanessayonthefeminineinwoman。Ishouldliketoreadit;itwoulddomesomuchgood。"
"Youareatleastatruewoman，"hesaid，laughing，"forIseeyoucanbespiteful。Thetuninghasnotdriventhataway。"
"Ah，Ihadforgottenaboutthetuning，"sheanswered，brightly;"butnowyouremindme，Ihavebeenseizedwithagreatidea。"
"Won’tyoutellittome？"heasked。
"No，"sheanswered;"Ikeepmygreatideasformyself，andworkthemoutinsecret。Andthisoneisparticularlyamusing。WhatfunIshallhave！"
"Butwhykeepthefuntoyourself？"hesaid。"Weallwanttobeamusedhere;weallwanttobestirredup;alittlefunwouldbeacharity。"
"Verywell，sinceyouwishit，youshallbestirredup，"sheanswered;
"butyoumustgivemetimetoworkoutmygreatidea。Idonothurryaboutthings，notevenaboutmyprofessionalduties;forIhaveastrongfeelingthatitisvulgartobealwaysamassingriches！AsI
haveneitherahusbandnorabrothertosupport，Ihavechosenlesswealth，andmoreleisuretoenjoyallthelovelinessoflife！SoyouseeItakemytimeabouteverything。Andto-morrowIshallcatchbutterfliesatmyleisure，andlieamongthedearoldpines，andworkatmygreatidea。"
"Ishallcatchbutterflies，"saidhercompanion;"andItooshalllieamongthedearoldpines。"
"Justasyouplease，"shesaid;andatthatmomentthe/tabled’hote/
bellrang。
Thelittlegirlhastenedtothebureau，andspokerapidlyinGermantothecashier。
"/Ach，Fraulein/！"hesaid。"Youarenotreallyserious？"
"Yes，Iam，"shesaid。"Idon’twantthemtoknowmyname。Itwillonlyworryme。SayIamtheyoungladywhotunedthepiano。"
ShehadscarcelygiventhesedirectionsandmountedtoherroomwhenOswaldEverard，whowasmuchinterestedinhismysteriouscompanion，cametothebureau，andaskedforthenameofthelittlelady。
"/EsistdasFrauleinwelchesdasPianogestimmthat/，"answeredtheman，returningwithunusualquicknesstohisaccount-book。
Noonespoketothelittlegirlat/tabled’hote/，butforallthatsheenjoyedherdinner，andgaveherseriousattentiontoallthecourses。Beingthussolidlyoccupied，shehadnotmuchleisuretobestowontheconversationoftheotherguests。Norwasitspeciallyoriginal;ittreatedoftheshort-comingsofthechef，thetastelessnessofthesoup，thetoughnessofthebeef，andallthemanyfailingswhichgotocompleteamountainhoteldinner。Butsuddenly，soitseemedtothelittlegirl，thistime-honouredtalkpassedintoanotherphase;sheheardtheword"music"mentioned，andshebecameatonceinterestedtolearnwhatthesepeoplehadtosayonasubjectwhichwasdearertoherthananyother。
"Formyownpart，"saidastern-lookingoldman，"Ihavenowordstodescribewhatagraciouscomfortmusichasbeentomeallmylife。Itisthenoblestlanguagewhichmanmayunderstandandspeak。AndI
sometimesthinkthatthosewhoknowit，orknowsomethingofit，areableatraremomentstofindananswertolife’sperplexingproblems。"
Thelittlegirllookedupfromherplate。RobertBrowning’swordsrosetoherlips，butshedidnotgivethemutterance：
GodhasafewofuswhomHewhispersintheear;
Therestmayreason，andwelcome;’tiswemusiciansknow。
"Ihavelivedthroughalonglife，"saidanotherelderlyman，"andhavethereforehadmyshareoftrouble;butthegriefofbeingobligedtogiveupmusicwasthegriefwhichheldmelongest，orwhichperhapshasneverleftme。Istillcraveforthegraciouspleasureoftouchingoncemorethestringsofthevioloncello，andhearingthedear，tendervoicesingingandthrobbing，andansweringeventosuchpoorskillasmine。Istillyearntotakemypartinconcertedmusic，andbeoneofthoseprivilegedtoplayBeethoven’sstring-quartettes。Butthatwillhavetobeinanotherincarnation，Ithink。"
Heglancedathisshrunkenarm，andthen，asthoughashamedofthisallusiontohisownpersonalinfirmity，headdedhastily：
"Butwhenthefirstpangofsuchapainisover，thereremainsthecomfortofbeingalistener。Atfirstonedoesnotthinkitisacomfort;butastimegoesonthereisnoresistingitsmagicinfluence。AndLowellsaidrightlythat’oneofGod’sgreatcharitiesismusic。’"
"Ididnotknowyouweremusical，Mr。Keith，"saidanEnglishlady。
"Youhaveneverbeforespokenofmusic。"
"Perhapsnot，madam，"heanswered。"Onedoesnotoftenspeakofwhatonecaresformostofall。ButwhenIaminLondonIrarelymisshearingourbestplayers。"
Atthispointothersjoinedin，andthevariousmeritsofeminentpianistswerewarmlydiscussed。
"WhatawonderfulnamethatlittleEnglishladyhasmadeforherself！"
saidthemajor，whowasconsideredanauthorityonallsubjects。I
wouldgoanywheretohearMissThyraFlowerdew。Wealloughttobeveryproudofher。ShehastakeneventheGermanmusicalworldbystorm，andtheysayherrecitalsatParishavebeenbrilliantlysuccessful。ImyselfhaveheardheratNewYork，Leipsic，London，Berlin，andevenChicago。"
Thelittlegirlstirreduneasilyinherchair。
"Idon’tthinkMissFlowerdewhaseverbeentoChicago，"shesaid。
Therewasadeadsilence。TheadmirerofMissThyraFlowerdewlookedmuchannoyed，andtwiddledhiswatch-chain。Hehadmeanttosay"Philadelphia，"buthedidnotthinkitnecessarytoowntohismistake。
"Whatimpertinence！"saidoneoftheladiestoMissBlake。"Whatcansheknowaboutit？Isshenottheyoungpersonwhotunedthepiano？"
"PerhapsshetunesMissThyraFlowerdew’spiano！"suggestedMissBlake，inaloudwhisper。
"Youareright，madam，"saidthelittlegirl，quietly。"IhaveoftentunedMissFlowerdew’spiano。"
Therewasanotherembarrassingsilence;andthenalovelyoldlady，whomeveryonereverenced，cametotherescue。
"Ithinkherplayingissimplysuperb，"shesaid。"NothingthatIeverhearsatisfiesmesoentirely。Shehasallthetendernessofanangel’stouch。"
"Listeningtoher，"saidthemajor，whohadnowrecoveredfromhisannoyanceatbeinginterrupted，"onebecomesunconsciousofherpresence，forshe/isthemusicitself/。Andthatisrare。Itisbutseldomnowadaysthatweareallowedtoforgetthepersonalityoftheplayer。Andyetherpersonalityisanunusualone;havingonceseenher，itwouldnotbeeasytoforgether。Ishouldrecogniseheranywhere。"
Ashespoke，heglancedatthelittletuner，andcouldnothelpadmiringherdignifiedcomposureundercircumstanceswhichmighthavebeendistressingtoanyone;andwhensherosewiththeothershefollowedher，andsaidstiffly：
"IregretthatIwastheindirectcauseofputtingyouinanawkwardposition。"
"Itisreallyofnoconsequence，"shesaid，brightly。"IfyouthinkI
wasimpertinent，Iaskyourforgiveness。Ididnotmeantobeofficious。ThewordswerespokenbeforeIwasawareofthem。"
Shepassedintothesalon，whereshefoundaquietcornerforherself，andreadsomeofthenewspapers。Noonetooktheslightestnoticeofher;notawordwasspokentoher;butwhensherelievedthecompanyofherpresenceherimpertinencewascommentedon。
"IamsorrythatsheheardwhatIsaid，"remarkedMissBlake;"butshedidnotseemtomind。Theseyoungwomenwhogooutintotheworldlosetheedgeoftheirsensitivenessandfemininity。Ihavealwaysobservedthat。"
"Howmuchtheyaresparedthen！"answeredsomeone。
Meanwhilethelittlegirlsleptsoundly。Shehadmerrydreams，andfinallywokeuplaughing。Shehurriedoverherbreakfast，andthenstoodreadytogoforabutterflyhunt。Shelookedthoroughlyhappy，andevidentlyhadfound，andwasholdingtightly，thekeytolife’senjoyment。
OswaldEverardwaswaitingonthebalcony，andheremindedherthatheintendedtogowithher。
"Comealongthen，"sheanswered;"wemustnotloseamoment。"
Theycaughtbutterflies;theypickedflowers;theyran;theylingeredbythewayside;theysang;theyclimbed，andhemarvelledathereasyspeed。Nothingseemedtotireher，andeverythingseemedtodelighther——theflowers，thebirds，theclouds，thegrasses，andthefragranceofthepinewoods。
"Isitnotgoodtolive？"shecried。"Isitnotsplendidtotakeinthescentedair？Drawinasmanylongbreathsasyoucan。Isn’titgood？Don’tyoufeelnowasthoughyouwerereadytomovemountains？I
do。WhatadearoldnurseNatureis！Howshepetsus，andgivesusthebestofhertreasures！"
HerhappinessinvadedOswaldEverard’ssoul，andhefeltlikeaschool-boyoncemore，rejoicinginafinedayandhisliberty，withnothingtospoilthefreshnessoftheair，andnothingtothreatenthefreedomofthemoment。
"Isitnotgoodtolive？"hecried。"Yes，indeeditis，ifweknowhowtoenjoy。"
Theyhadcomeuponsomehaymakers，andthelittlegirlhasteneduptohelpthem，laughingandtalkingtothewomen，andhelpingthemtopileupthehayontheshouldersofabroad-backedman，whothenconveyedhisburdentoapear-shapedstack。OswaldEverardwatchedhiscompanionforamoment，andthen，quiteforgettinghisdignityasanamateurtenorsinger，hetoolenthisaid，anddidnotleaveoffuntilhiscompanionsankexhaustedontheground。
"Oh，"shelaughed，"whatdelightfulworkforaveryshorttime！Comealong;letusgointothatbrownchatletyonderandaskforsomemilk。
Iamsimplyparchedwiththirst。Thankyou，butIprefertocarrymyownflowers。"
"Whatanindependentlittleladyyouare！"hesaid。
"Itisquitenecessaryinourprofession，Icanassureyou，"shesaid，withatoneofmischiefinhervoice。"Thatremindsmethatmyprofessionisevidentlynotlookeduponwithanyfavourbythevisitorsatthehotel。IamheartbrokentothinkthatIhavenotwontheesteemofthatladyinthebillycockhat。Whatwillshesaytoyouforcomingoutwithme？Andwhatwillshesayofmeforallowingyoutocome？Iwonderwhethershewillsay，’Howunfeminine！’IwishI
couldhearher！"
"Idon’tsupposeyoucare，"hesaid。"Youseemtobeawildlittlebird。"
"Idon’tcarewhatapersonofthatdescriptionsays，"repliedhiscompanion。
"Whatonearthmadeyoucontradictthemajoratdinnerlastnight？"heasked。"Iwasnotatthetable，butsomeonetoldmeoftheincident;
andIfeltverysorryaboutit。WhatcouldyouknowofMissThyraFlowerdew？"
"Well，consideringthatsheisinmyprofession，ofcourseIknowsomethingabouther，"saidthelittlegirl。
"Confounditall！"hesaid，ratherrudely。"Surelythereissomedifferencebetweenthebellows-blowerandtheorganist。"
"Absolutelynone，"sheanswered;"merelyavariationoftheoriginaltheme！"
Asshespokesheknockedatthedoorofthechalet，andaskedtheolddametogivethemsomemilk。Theysatinthe/Stube/，andthelittlegirllookedabout，andadmiredthespinning-wheelandthequaintchairsandthequeeroldjugsandthepicturesonthewalls。
"Ah，butyoushallseetheotherroom，"theoldpeasantwomansaid;
andsheledthemintoasmallapartmentwhichwasevidentlyintendedforastudy。Itboreevidencesofunusualtasteandcare，andonecouldseethatsomelovinghandhadbeentryingtomakeitarealsanctumofrefinement。Therewasevenasmallpiano。Acarvedbook-
rackwasfastenedtothewall。
Theolddamedidnotspeakatfirst;shegavehergueststimetorecoverfromtheastonishmentwhichshefelttheymustbeexperiencing;thenshepointedproudlytothepiano。
"Iboughtthatformydaughters，"shesaid，withastrangemixtureofsadnessandtriumph。"Iwantedtokeepthemathomewithme，andI
savedandsaved，andgotenoughmoneytobuythepiano。Theyhadalwayswantedtohaveone，andIthoughttheywouldthenstaywithme。
Theylikedmusicandbooks，andIknewtheywouldbegladtohavearoomoftheirownwheretheymightreadandplayandstudy;andsoI
gavethemthiscorner。"
"Well，mother，"askedthelittlegirl，"andwherearetheythisafternoon？"
"Ah，"sheansweredsadly，"theydidnotcaretostay;butitwasnaturalenough，andIwasfoolishtogrieve。Besides，theycometoseeme。"
"Andthentheyplaytoyou？"askedthelittlegirl，gently。
"Theysaythepianoisoutoftune，"theolddamesaid。"Idon’tknow。
Perhapsyoucantell。"
Thelittlegirlsatdowntothepiano，andstruckafewchords。
"Yes，"shesaid;"itisbadlyoutoftune。Givemethetuning-hammer。
Iamsorry，"sheadded，smilingatOswaldEverard，"butIcannotneglectmyduty。Don’twaitforme。"
"Iwillwaitforyou，"hesaid，sullenly;andhewentintothebalconyandsmokedhispipe，andtriedtopossesshissoulinpatience。
Whenshehadfaithfullydoneherworksheplayedafewsimplemelodies，suchassheknewtheoldwomanwouldloveandunderstand;
andsheturnedawaywhenshesawthatthelistener’seyesweremoist。
"Playonceagain，"theoldwomanwhispered。"Iamdreamingofbeautifulthings。"
Sothelittletunertouchedthekeysagainwithallthetendernessofanangel。
"Tellyourdaughters，"shesaid，assherosetosaygood-bye，"thatthepianoisnowingoodtune。Thentheywillplaytoyouthenexttimetheycome。"
"Ishallalwaysrememberyou，mademoiselle，"theoldwomansaid;and，almostunconsciously，shetookthechildishfaceandkissedit。
OswaldEverardwaswaitinginthehay-fieldforhiscompanion;andwhensheapologisedtohimforthislittleprofessionalintermezzo，asshecalledit，herecoveredfromhissulkinessandreadjustedhisnerves，whichthenoiseofthetuninghadsomewhatdisturbed。
"Itwasverygoodofyoutotunetheolddame’spiano，"hesaid，lookingatherwithrenewedinterest。
"Someonehadtodoit，ofcourse，"sheanswered，brightly，"andIamgladthechancefelltome。Whatacomfortitistothinkthatthenexttimethosedaughterscometoseehertheywillplaytoherandmakeherveryhappy！Poorolddear！"
"Youpuzzlemegreatly，"hesaid。"Icannotforthelifeofmethinkwhatmadeyouchooseyourcalling。Youmusthavemanygifts;anyonewhotalkswithyoumustseethatatonce。Andyouplayquitenicely，too。"
"Iamsorrythatmyprofessionsticksinyourthroat，"sheanswered。
"DobethankfulthatIamnothingworsethanatuner。ForImightbesomethingworse——asnob，forinstance。"
And，sospeaking，shedashedafterabutterfly，andlefthimtorecoverfromherwords。Hewasconsciousofhavingdeservedareproof;
andwhenatlastheovertookherhesaidasmuch，andaskedforherkindindulgence。
"Iforgiveyou，"shesaid，laughing。"YouandIarenotlookingatthingsfromthesamepointofview;butwehavehadasplendidmorningtogether，andIhaveenjoyedeveryminuteofit。Andto-morrowIgoonmyway。"
"Andto-morrowyougo，"herepeated。"Canitnotbethedayafterto-morrow？"
"Iamabirdofpassage，"shesaid，shakingherhead。"Youmustnotseektodetainme。Ihavetakenmyrest，andoffIgotootherclimes。"
Theyhadarrivedatthehotel，andOswaldEverardsawnomoreofhiscompanionuntiltheevening，whenshecamedownratherlatefor/tabled’hote/。Shehurriedoverherdinnerandwentintothesalon。Sheclosedthedoor，andsatdowntothepiano，andlingeredtherewithouttouchingthekeys;onceortwicesheraisedherhands，andthensheletthemrestonthenotes，and，halfunconsciously，theybegantomoveandmakesweetmusic;andthentheydriftedintoSchumann’s"Abendlied，"andthenthelittlegirlplayedsomeofhis"Kinderscenen，"andsomeofhis"FantasieStucke，"andsomeofhissongs。
Hertouchandfeelingwereexquisite，andherphrasingbetrayedthetruemusician。Thestrainsofmusicreachedthedining-room，and，onebyone，theguestscamecreepingin，movedbythemusicandanxioustoseethemusician。
Thelittlegirldidnotlookup;shewasinaSchumannmoodthatevening，andonlytheplayersofSchumannknowwhatenthrallingpossessionhetakesoftheirveryspirit。Allthepassionandpathosandwildnessandlonginghadfoundaninspiredinterpreter;andthosewholistenedtoherwereheldbythemagicwhichwasherownsecret，andwhichhadwonforhersuchhonourascomesonlytothefew。SheunderstoodSchumann’smusic，andwasatherbestwithhim。
Hadshe，perhaps，chosentoplayhismusicthiseveningbecauseshewishedtobeatherbest？Orwasshemerelybeingimpelledbyanoverwhelmingforcewithinher？Perhapsitwassomethingofboth。
Wasshewishingtohumiliatethesepeoplewhohadreceivedhersocoldly？Thislittlegirlwasonlyhuman;perhapstherewassomethingofthatfeelingtoo。Whocantell？ButsheplayedasshehadneverplayedinLondon，orParis，orBerlin，orNewYork，orPhiladelphia。
Atlastshearrivedatthe"Carnaval，"andthosewhoheardherdeclaredafterwardthattheyhadneverlistenedtoamoremagnificentrendering。Thetendernesswassorestrained;thevigourwassorefined。Whenthelastnotesofthatspirited"MarchedesDavidsbundlercontrelesPhilistins"haddiedaway，sheglancedatOswaldEverard，whowasstandingnearheralmostdazed。
"Andnowmyfavouritepieceofall，"shesaid;andsheatoncebeganthe"SecondNovelette，"thefinestoftheeight，butseldomplayedinpublic。
Whatcanonesayofthewildrushoftheleadingtheme，andthepatheticlongingoftheintermezzo？……Themurmuringdyingnotes，Thatfallassoftassnowonthesea;
andThepassionatestrainthat，deeplygoing，Refinesthebosomittremblesthrough。
Whatcanonesayofthosevagueaspirationsandfinestthoughtswhichpossesstheverydullestamonguswhensuchmusicasthatwhichthelittlegirlhadchosencatchesusandkeepsus，ifonlyforapassingmoment，butthatmomentoftherarestworthandlovelinessinourunlovelylives？
Whatcanonesayofthehighestmusicexceptthat，likedeath，itisthegreatleveller：itgathersusalltoitstenderkeeping——andwerest。
Thelittlegirlceasedplaying。Therewasnotasoundtobeheard;themagicwasstillholdingherlisteners。Whenatlasttheyhadfreedthemselveswithasigh，theypressedforwardtogreether。
"Thereisonlyonepersonwhocanplaylikethat，"criedthemajor，withsuddeninspiration——"sheisMissThyraFlowerdew。"
Thelittlegirlsmiled。
"Thatismyname，"shesaid，simply;andsheslippedoutoftheroom。
Thenextmorning，atanearlyhour，thebirdofpassagetookherflightonward，butshewasnotdestinedtogooffunobserved。OswaldEverardsawthelittlefigureswingingalongtheroad，andsheovertookher。
"Youlittlewildbird！"hesaid。"Andsothiswasyourgreatidea——tohaveyourfunoutofusall，andthenplaytousandmakeusfeelI
don’tknowhow，andthentogo。"
"Yousaidthecompanywantedstirringup，"sheanswered，"andIratherfancyIhavestirredthemup。"
"Andwhatdoyousupposeyouhavedoneforme？"heasked。
"IhopeIhaveprovedtoyouthatthebellows-blowerandtheorganistaresometimesidentical，"sheanswered。
Butheshookhishead。
"Littlewildbird，"hesaid，"youhavegivenmeagreatidea，andI
willtellyouwhatitis：/totameyou/。Sogood-byeforthepresent。"
"Good-bye，"shesaid。"Butwildbirdsarenotsoeasilytamed。"
Thenshewavedherhandoverherhead，andwentonherwaysinging。
KOOSJE：ASTUDYOFDUTCHLIFE
byJOHNSTRANGEWINTER
HernamewasKoosjevanKampen，andshelivedinUtrecht，thatmostquaintofquaintcities，theVeniceoftheNorth。
AllherlifehadbeenpassedundertheshadowofthegrandoldDomKerk;shehadplayedbo-peepbehindthecolumnsandarcadesoftheruined，moss-growncloisters;hadslippedupandfallendownthestepsleadingtothe/grachts/;hadonceortwice，inthisveryearlylife，beenfishedoutofthosesameslimy，stagnantwaters;hadwanderedunderthegreatlindensintheBaan，andgazedcuriouslyupatthestork’snestinthetreebytheVeterinarySchool;hadpatteredaboutthehollow-soundingstreetsinhernoisywooden/klompen/;haddancedandlaughed，hadquarrelledandwept，andfoughtandmadefriendsagain，tothetuneofthesilverchimeshighupintheDom——chimesthatweresometimesold/Nederlandsche/hymns，sometimesMendelssohn’smelodiesandtender"LiederohneWorte。"
Butthatwaseversolongago，andnowshehadleftherrompingchildhoodbehindher，andhadbecomeamaid-servant——averydignifiedandaristocraticmaid-servantindeed——withnolessasumthaneightpoundstenayearinwages。
Shelivedinthehouseofaprofessor，whodweltontheMunsterKerkhoff，oneofthemostaristocraticpartsofthatwonderfullyaristocraticcity;andonceortwiceeveryweekyoumighthaveseenher，ifyouhadbeentheretosee，busilyengagedinwashingtheredtileandblueslatepathwayinfrontoftheprofessor’shouse。Youwouldhaveseenthatshewasverypleasanttolookat，thisKoosje，verycomelyandclean，whethershehappenedtobeverybusy，orwhetherithadbeenSunday，and，withherverybestgownon，shewasoutforapromenadeintheBaan，afterdulygoingtoserviceasregularlyastheSabbathdawnedinthegrandoldGothicchoirofthecathedral。
Duringtheweeksheworealwaysthesamecostumeasdoeseveryotherservantinthecountry：askirtofblackstuff，shortenoughtoshowapairofveryneat-setandwell-turnedankles，cladinclothshoesandknittedstockingsthatshowednowrinkles;overtheskirtabodiceandakirtleoflilac，madewithaneatlygatheredfrillingaboutherroundbrownthroat;abovethefrillingfiveorsixrowsofunpolishedgarnetbeadsfastenedbyamassiveclaspofgoldfiligree，andonherheadaspotlesswhitecaptiedwithaneatbowunderherchin——asneat，letmetellyou，asanEnglishman’stieataparty。
ButitwasonSundaythatKoosjeshoneforthinallthegloryofablackgownandherjewellery——withgreatear-ringstomatchtheclaspofhernecklace，andaheavychainandcrosstomatchthatagain，andoneortworings;whileonherheadsheworeanimmensecap，muchtoobigtoputabonnetover，thoughforwalkingshewasmostparticulartohavegloves。
Then，indeed，shewasayoungpersontobetreatedwithrespect，andwithrespectshewasundoubtedlytreated。Asshepassedalongthequaint，resoundingstreets，manyaheadwasturnedtolookafterher;
butKoosjewentonherwaylikethestaidmaidenshewas，dulyimpressedwiththefactthatshewasprincipalservantofProfessorvanDijck，themostcelebratedauthorityonthestudyofosteologyinEurope。SoKoosjeneverheededthelooks，turnedherheadneithertotherightnortotheleft，butwentsedatelyonherbusinessorpleasure，whicheverithappenedtobe。
Itwasnotlikelythatsuchatreasurecouldremainlongunnoticedandunsoughtafter。ServantsintheNetherlands，Ihear，arenotsogoodbutthattheymightbebetter;andmostpeopleknewwhatatreasureProfessorvanDijckhadinhisKoosje。However，astheprofessorconscientiouslyraisedherwagesfromtimetotime，Koosjeneverthoughtofleavinghim。
Butthereisonebribenowomancanresist——thebribethatisofferedbylove。AsProfessorvanDijckhadexpectedandfeared，thatbribeerelongwasheldouttoKoosje，andKoosjewastooweaktoresistit。
Notthathewishedhertodoso。Ifthegirlhadachanceofsettlingwellandhappilyforlife，hewouldbethelasttodreamofthrowinganyobstacleinherway。Hehadcometobeanoldmanhimself;helivedallalone，saveforhisservants，inagreat，ramblinghouse，whosehugeapartmentswereallsetoutwithhorribleanatomicalpreparationsandgrislyskeletons;and，thoughthestatelypassageswerepavedwithwhitemarble，andledintoroomswhichwouldeasilyhaveaccommodatedcrowdsofguests，hewentintonosocietysavethatofsavantsasoldandfossil-likeashimself;inotherwords，hewasanoldbachelorwholivedentirelyforhisprofessionandthestudyofthegreatmastersbytheinterpretationofagenuineoldStradivari。
Yettheoldprofessorhadamemory;herecalledthetimewhenhehadbeenyoungwhonowwasold——thetimewhenhisheartwasagooddealmoretender，hisbloodagreatdealwarmer，andhisfancyverymuchmoreeasilystirredthannowadays。Therewasadead-and-goneromancewhichhadbrokenhisheart，sentimentallyspeaking——aromancelongsincecrumbledintodust，whichhadsenthimforcomfortintothestudyofosteologyandthemusicoftheStradivari;yetthememorythereofmadehimconsiderablymorelenienttoKoosje’sweaknessthanKoosjeherselfhadeverexpectedtofindhim。
Notthatshehadintendedtotellhimatfirst;shewasonlythreeandtwenty，and，thoughJanvanderWeldewasasfineafellowascouldbeseeninUtrecht，andhadgoodwagesandsomethingputby，Koosjewasbynomeansinclinedtorushheadlongintomatrimonywithunduehurry。
Itwasmorepleasanttoliveintheprofessor’sgoodhouse，tohavedelightfulwalksarminarmwithJanunderthetreesintheBaanorroundtheSingels，partingunderthestarswithmanyalingeringwordandpromisetomeetagain。Itwasduringoneofthoseverypartingsthattheprofessorsuddenlybecameaware，ashewalkedplacidlyhome，ofthechangethathadcomeintoKoosje’slife。
However，Koosjetoldhimblushinglythatshedidnotwishtoleavehimjustatpresent;sohedidnottroublehimselfaboutthematter。Hewasawiseman，thisoldauthorityonosteology，andquotedoftentimes，"Sufficientuntothedayistheevilthereof。"
Sothecourtshipspedsmoothlyon，seemingforoncetocontradictthetruthoftheoldsaying，"Thecourseoftrueloveneverdidrunsmooth。"Thecourseoftheirlovedid，ofatruth，runmarvellouslysmoothindeed。Koosje，ifatriflecoy，waspleasantandsweet;Janasfineafellowaseverwaitedroundacorneronacoldwinternight。Sobrightlythehappydaysslippedby，whensuddenlyachangewaseffectedintheprofessor’shouseholdwhichmade，asamatterofcourse，somewhatofachangeinKoosje’slife。Itcameaboutinthiswise。
Koosjehadbeenonanerrandfortheprofessor，——onethathadkeptheroutofdoorssometime，——andithappenedthatthenightwasbitterlycold;thecold，indeed，wasfearful。TheairhadthatdamprawnesssonoticeableinDutchclimate，athickmistoverhungthecity，andadrizzlingraincamedownwithasteadypersistencesuchasquicklysoakedthroughthestoutestandthickestgarments。Thestreetswerewell-nighempty。Thegreatthoroughfare，theOudeGracht，wasalmostdeserted，andasKoosjehurriedalongtheMeinerbroederstraat——forshehadasecondcommissionthere——shedrewhergreatshawlmoretightlyroundher，mutteringcrossly，"Whatweather！yesterdaysowarm，to-daysocold。’Tisenoughtogiveonethefever。"
Shedeliveredhermessage，andranonthroughOudeKerkhoffasfastasherfeetcouldcarryher，when，justassheturnedthecornerintotheDomplein，afiercegustofwind，accompaniedbyablindingshowerofrain，assailedher;herfootcaughtagainstsomethingsoftandheavy，andshefell。
"Blessus！"sheejaculated，blankly。"Whatfoolhasleftabundleoutonthepathonsuchanight？Pitchdark，withhalfthelampsout，andrainandmistenoughtoblindone。"
Shegatheredherselfup，rubbingelbowsandkneesvigorously，castingthewhiledarkglancesattheobnoxiousbundlewhichhadcausedthedisaster。Justthenthewindwaslulled，thelampcloseathandgaveoutasteadylight，whichsheditsraysthroughthefoguponKoosjeandthebundle，fromwhich，tothegirl’shorroranddismay，cameafaintmoan。Quicklyshedrewnearer，whensheperceivedthatwhatshehadbelievedtobeabundlewasindeedawoman，apparentlyinthelaststageofexhaustion。
Koosjetriedtolifther;butthedead-weightwasbeyondher，youngandstrongasshewas。Thentherainandthewindcameonagaininfiercerguststhanbefore;thewoman’smoansgrewlouderandlouder，andwhattodoKoosjeknewnot。
Shestruggledonforthefewstepsthatlaybetweenherandtheprofessor’shouse，andthensherangapealwhichresoundedthroughtheechoingpassages，bringingDortje，theothermaid，runningout;
afterthemannerofherclass，imaginingallsortsofterriblecatastropheshadhappened。SheutteredacryofreliefwhensheperceiveditwasonlyKoosje，who，withoutvouchsafinganyexplanation，dashedpastherandranstraightintotheprofessor’sroom。
"Oprofessor！"shegaspedout;but，betweenhereffortstoremovethewoman，herstrugglewiththeelements，andherracedownthepassage，herbreathwasutterlygone。
Theprofessorlookedupfromhisbookandhistea-trayinsurprise。
ForamomenthethoughtthatKoosje，hisdomestictreasure，hadaltogethertakenleaveofhersenses;forshewasstreamingwithwater，coveredwithmud，andheadandcapwereinastateofdisorder，suchasneitherhenoranyoneelsehadeverseentheminsincethelasttimeshehadbeenfishedoutoftheNieuweGracht。
"Whatisthematter，Koosje？"heasked，regardinghergravelyoverhisspectacles。
"There’sawomanoutside——dying，"shepanted，"Ifelloverher。"
"Youhadbettertrytogetherinthen，"theoldgentlemansaid，inquitearelievedtone。"YouandDortjemustbringherin。Dear，dear，poorsoul！butitisadreadfulnight。"
Theoldgentlemanshiveredashespoke，anddrewalittlenearertothetallwhiteporcelainstove。
Itwas，ashehadsaidaminutebefore，aterriblenight。Hecouldhearthewindbeatingaboutthehouseandrattlingaboutthecasementsandmoaningdownthechimneys;andtothinkanypoorsoulshouldbeoutonsuchanight，/dying/！Heavenpreserveotherswhomightbebelatedorhouselessinanypartoftheworld！
Hefellintoafitofabstraction，——ahabitnotuncommonwithlearnedmen，——wonderingwhylifeshouldbesodifferentwithdifferentpeople;
whyheshouldbeinthatwarm，handsomeroom，withitssoftrichhangingsandcarpet，withitsbeautifulfurnitureofcarvedwood，itspictures，andtherarechinascatteredhereandthereamongthegrimarrayofskeletonswhichwerehisdelight。HewonderedwhyheshouldtakehisteaoutofcostlyandvaluableOrientalchina，sugarandcreamoutofantiquesilver，whileotherpoorsoulshadnoteaatall，andnothingtotakeitoutofeveniftheyhad。Hewonderedwhyheshouldhavealampunderhisteapotthatwasaverymarvelofarttransparencies;whyheshouldhaveeveryluxury，andthispoorcreatureshouldbedyinginthestreetamidthewindandtherain。Itwasallveryunequal。
Itwasveryodd，theprofessorargued，leaninghisbackagainstthetall，warmstove;itwasveryoddindeed。Hebegantofeelthat，grandasthestudyofosteologyundoubtedlyis，heoughtnottopermitittobecomesoengrossingastoblindhimtothestudyofthegreaterphilosophiesoflife。Hisreveriewas，however，brokenbytheabruptreentranceofKoosje，whothistimewasatriflelessbreathlessthanshehadbeenbefore。
"Wehavegotherintothekitchen，professor，"sheannounced。"Sheisachild——amerebaby，andsopretty！Shehasopenedhereyesandspoken。"
"Givehersomesoupandwine——hot，"saidtheprofessor，withoutstirring。
"Butwon’tyoucome？"sheasked。
Theprofessorhesitated;hehatedattendingincasesofillness，thoughhewasaproperlyqualifieddoctorandinanemergencywouldlayhisprejudiceaside。
"OrshallIrunacrossforthegoodDr。Smit？"Koosjeasked。"Hewouldcomeinaminute，onlyitis/such/anight！"
Atthatmomentafiercergustthanbeforerattledatthecasements，andtheprofessorlaidasidehisscruples。
Hefollowedhishousekeeperdownthechilly，marble-flaggedpassageintothekitchen，whereheneverwentformonthstogether——acoseyenough，pleasantplace，withadeepvalancehangingfromthemantel-
shelf，withmanygreatcopperpans，brightandshiningasnewgold，andfurnitureallscrubbedtothewhitenessofsnow。
Inanarm-chairbeforetheopenedstovesattherescuedgirl——aslight，golden-hairedthing，withwistfulblueeyesandafrightenedair。Everymomentshecaughtherbreathinahalf-hystericalsob，whileviolentshiversshookherfromheadtofoot。
Theprofessorwentandlookedatheroverhisspectacles，asifshehadbeensomecuriousspecimenofhisfavouritestudy;butatthesametimehekeptatarespectfuldistancefromher。
"Givehersomesoupandwine，"hesaid，atlength，puttinghishandsunderthetailsofhislongdressing-gownoffloweredcashmere。"Somesoupandwine——hot;andputhertobed。"
"Isshethentoremainforthenight？"Koosjeasked，alittlesurprised。
"Oh，don’tsendmeaway！"thegolden-hairedgirlbrokeout，inavoicethatwaspositivelyawail，andclaspingapairofpretty，slenderhandsinpiteoussupplication。
"Wheredoyoucomefrom？"theoldgentlemanasked，muchasifheexpectedshemightsuddenlyjumpupandbitehim。
"FromBeijerland，mynheer，"sheanswered，withasob。
"So！Koosje，sheisremarkablywelldressed，isshenot？"theprofessorsaid，glancingatthecostlylacehead-gear，theheavygoldhead-piece，whichlayonthetabletogetherwiththegreatgoldspiralornamentsandfiligreependants——adazzlingheadofrichness。Helooked，too，atthegirl’swhitehands，attherich，crape-ladengown，attheirdelicatebeauty，andshowerofwavinggoldenhair，which，releasedfromtheconfinementofthecapandhead-piece，floatedinarichmassofglitteringbeautyoverthepillowswhichhisservanthadplacedbeneathherhead。
Theprofessorwasold;theprofessorwaswhollygivenuptohisprofession，whichhejokinglycalledhissweetheart;and，thoughhecuthalfofhisacquaintancesinthestreetthroughinattentionandtheshortnessofhissight，hehadeyesinhishead，anduponoccasionscouldusethem。Hethereforerepeatedthequestion。
"Verywelldressedindeed，professor，"returnedKoosje，promptly。
"AndwhatareyoudoinginUtrecht——insuchaplightasthis，too？"heasked，stillkeepingatasafedistance。
"Omynheer，Iamallaloneintheworld，"sheanswered，herbluemistyeyesfilledwithtears。"Ihadamonthagoadear，good，kindfather，buthehasdied，andIamindeeddesolate。Ialwaysbelievedhimrich，andtothesethings，"withagesturethatincludedherdressandtheornamentsonthetable，"Ihaveeverbeenaccustomed。ThusIorderedwithoutconsiderationsuchclothesasIthoughtneedful。AndthenI
foundtherewasnothingforme——notahundredguilderstocallmyownwhenallwaspaid。"
"ButwhatbroughtyoutoUtrecht？"
"Hesentmehere，mynheer。Inhislastillness，onlyofthreedays’
duration，hebademegatheralltogetherandcometothiscity，whereIwastoaskforaMevrouwBaake，hiscousin。"
"MevrouwBaake，oftheSigarenFabrijk，"saidDortje，inanaside，totheothers。"IlivedservantwithherbeforeIcamehere。"
"Ihadheardverylittleabouther，onlymyfatherhadsometimesmentionedhiscousintome;theyhadoncebeenbetrothed，"thestrangercontinued。"ButwhenIreachedUtrechtIfoundshewasdead——
twoyearsdead;butwehadneverheardofit。"
"Dear，dear，dear！"exclaimedtheprofessor，pityingly。"Well，youhadbetterletKoosjeputyoutobed，andwewillseewhatcanbedoneforyouinthemorning。"
"AmItomakeupabed？"Koosjeasked，followinghimalongthepassage。
Theprofessorwheeledroundandfacedher。
"Shehadbettersleepintheguestroom，"hesaid，thoughtfully，regardlessofthecoldwhichstrucktohisslipperedfeetfromthemarblefloor。"Thatistheonlyroomwhichdoesnotcontainspecimensthatwouldprobablyfrightenthepoorchild。Iamverymuchafraid，Koosje，"heconcluded，doubtfully，"thatsheisalady;andwhatwearetodowithaladyIcan’tthink。"
Withthattheoldgentlemanshuffledofftohiscoseyroom，andKoosjeturnedbacktoherkitchen。
"He’llneverthinkofmarryingher，"musedKoosje，ratherblankly。Ifshehadspokenthethoughtstotheprofessorhimself，shewouldhavereceivedaveryemphaticassurancethat，muchasthestudyofosteologyandtheStradivarihadblindedhimtotheaffairsofthisworkadayworld，hewasnotyetsothoroughlyfoolishastojoinhisfossilisedwisdomtotheignoranceofachildofsixteenorseventeen。
However，onthemorrowmattersassumedasomewhatdifferentaspect。
GertrudevanFlooteprovedtobenotexactlyagentlewoman。Itistruethatherfatherhadbeenawell-to-domanforhisstationinlife，andhadverymuchspoiledandindulgedhisonemotherlesschild。Yethereducationwassoslightthatshecoulddolittlemorethanreadandwrite，besidesspeakingalittleEnglish，whichshehadpickedupfromtheyachtsmenfrequentinghernativetown。TheprofessorfoundshehadbeenbutadistantrelativeoftheMevrouwBaake，toseekwhomshehadcometoUtrecht，andthatshehadnokinsfolkuponwhomshecoulddepend——afactwhichaccountedfortheprofusionofherjewellery，allhergoldentrinketshavingdescendedtoherasheirlooms。
"Icanbeyourservant，mynheer，"shesuggested。"Indeed，Iamaveryusefulgirl，asyouwillfindifyouwillbuttryme。"
Now，asarule，theprofessorvigorouslysethisfaceagainstadmittingyoungservantsintohishouse。Theybrokehischina，theydisarrangedhisbones，theymeddledwithhispapers，andmadegeneralhavoc。So，intruth，hewasnotverywillingtohaveGertrudevanFlooteasapermanentmemberofhishousehold，andhesaidso。
ButKoosjehadtakenafancytothegirl;andhavinganeyetoherowndepartureatnoverydistantdate，——forshehadbeenbetrothedmorethantwoyears，——shepleadedsohardtokeepher，promisingtotrainherinalltheprofessor’sways，toteachherthevalueofoldchinaandosteologicspecimens，thateventually，withagooddealofgrumbling，theoldgentlemangaveway，and，beingawiseaswellasanoldgentleman，wentbacktohisstudies，dismissingKoosjeandthegirlalikefromhisthoughts。
JustatfirstTruide，poorchild，wascharmed。
Sheputawayhersplendidornaments，andsomelilacfrocksandblackskirtswerepurchasedforher。Herbox，whichshehadleftatthestation，suppliedallthatwasnecessaryforSunday。
Itwasgreatfun！Forawholeweekthisyoungpersondancedabouttheramblingoldhouse，playingatbeingaservant。Thenshebegantogrowalittlewearyofitall。Shehadbeenaccustomed，ofcourse，toperformingsuchofficesasallDutchladiesfulfil——thecareofchina，oflinen，thedustingofrooms，andthelike;butshehaddonethemasamistress，notasanunderling。Andthatwasnottheworst;itwaswhenitcametoherprettyfeethavingtobethrustintoklompen，andherhavingtotakeapailandsyringeandmopandcleanthewindowsandthepathwayandthefrontofthehouse，thatthegameofmaid-
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