"With it, a day full of emotions, amusement, and anxieties came to an end—and, as it proved to Whistler, the last pilgrimage to Franz Hals.
"It needed no persuasion to keep Whistler at home after so fatiguing a day.
"But on our return to the hotel late the next afternoon we were told that he had called three times, and finally left a note asking us to come round in the morning and also to bring him news of Mrs. Pennell.
"Monday was a fête day for Holland—the Queen's birthday, and the town gay with flags and orange streamers and happy holiday crowds.
"I went round early to keep him company and bring him the news he wished for.
"We sat at his window overlooking merry-go-rounds, little toy and sweet stalls, and throngs of little children in their loyal smart frocks.
"'What a pretty sight! If I only had my water-colours here I could do a nice little picture,' he remarked.
"Dr. Bisschop had kindly arranged to take us and Mr. Bruckmann to the Gallery of Mesdag, and Whistler accepted an invitation to join us.
"There the Canalettos were of chief interest to him. Lunch at a café, another visit to the Mauritshuis, and tea at his rooms brought our stay to an end."
Footnotes
[13] See Appendix at end of volume.