“Methinks waiting for their best friend's coffin, that and nothing to do, are enow to make them worse than Nature meant. Why not set them up somewhere, to give 'em a chance?”
Eli said he was willing, but afraid they would drink and gamble their very shelves away.
“Nay,” said Catherine, “Dost take me for a simpleton? Of course I mean to watch them at starting, and drive them wi' a loose rein, as the saying is.”
“Where did you think of? Not here; to divide our own custom.”
“Not likely. I say Rotterdam against the world. Then I could start them.”
Oh, self-deception! The true motive of all this was to get near little Gerard.
After many discussions and eager promises of amendment on these terms from Cornelis and Sybrandt, Catherine went to Rotterdam shop-hunting, and took Kate with her; for a change, They soon found one, and in a good street; but it was sadly out of order. However, they got it cheaper for that, and instantly set about brushing it up, fitting proper shelves for the business, and making the dwelling-house habitable.
Luke Peterson was always asking Margaret what he could do for her. The answer used to be in a sad tone, “Nothing, Luke, nothing.”
“What, you that are so clever, can you think of nothing for me to do for you?”
“Nothing, Luke, nothing.”