“I shall watch; be quiet.”
“But if it opened whilst you were here?”
“The whimsical little thing would indeed be quite capable of playing such a trick,” said Rosa.
“And if on your return you find it open?”
“Well?”
“Oh, Rosa, whenever it opens, remember that not a moment must be lost in apprising the President.”
“And in apprising you. Yes, I understand.”
Rosa sighed, yet without any bitter feeling, but rather like a woman who begins to understand a foible, and to accustom herself to it.
“I return to your tulip, Mynheer van Baerle, and as soon as it opens I will give you news, which being done the messenger will set out immediately.”
“Rosa, Rosa, I don’t know to what wonder under the sun I shall compare you.”