The mother, a strong, bony woman, looked at him through her straggling hair, in an irresolute, dissatisfied way.
"Curse 'em—those quacks! You do it instead. You can do it just as well."
"I'll not do it, mother, positively. And think of it! If you do not go quickly, your child will surely be stark blind. Go! It is your duty to."
"How is it, Markus? Can't you do it, or don't you dare to, that you send me off to those murderers?"
Markus regarded her several moments, and then said, gently: "Mother, it is your own fault—you know it very well. I may not give you help, but it is not on account of the police. There in the town they will give you good advice. But go now, quickly, or the blindness of your child will be upon your conscience."
With a sullen look the woman turned away, and Johannes asked in a whisper: "Are these doctors more clever than Markus?"
"They know enough for this," said Markus, abruptly.
[1] Rust-oord = Place of repose.
[2] Nooit-gedacht = Beyond thought.
[3] Gouda = Name of town.