"Don't you see? Try to know how I feel.—Try to understand——"
Suddenly Frederik stopped her torrent of words. He took her in his arms before she realised it, and, kissing her, he said:
"Natürlich—I understand. I love you—and in time—Wait! You shall see! You must not worry, sweetheart. These things will come right, all in good time."
But Kathrien had released herself with nervous if quiet haste.
"Willem is feeling so much better," she said, with a change of tone to the ordinary.
"Tc!"
With his usual display of annoyance at the mention of Willem, Frederik left Kathrien and walked over to Oom Peter's desk, where he began to pick up and lay down the various articles strewn about its surface; without in the least realising what he was doing.
"I do hope that child will be kept out of the way—to-morrow," he said roughly.
"Why?"
"Oh—oh, I——"