"Why are you unhappy, Mynheer Grimm?" droned the boy.
"On account of Kathrien's future," replied Peter Grimm.
"What?" questioned Willem, who did not quite understand the meaning of the words "account" and "future."
"To-morrow——" began the Dead Man.
"To-morrow——" droned Willem.
"Kathrien's——" continued Peter Grimm.
"Your——" said the boy, glancing at Kathrien.
"Kathrien's?" asked the doctor. "Is he speaking about Kathrien?"
"What is it, Willem?" begged the girl. "What about me, to-morrow?"
"Kathrien must not marry Frederik," said Peter Grimm, as if teaching a simple lesson to a very stupid pupil.