The next Wednesday, at two o'clock, when they came again with the stream of visitors, and, with the eagerness of those who thirst and know where they will find water, hastened to the ward where Markus lay, they saw, as they entered, three green screens around his bed.
They had not yet learned what that means in a hospital ward, and they stepped up to the bed as hastily as ever, expecting that Markus might now be able to speak to them with more privacy. But Sjaak, at number six, saw them coming, and, thrusting out his lower lip compassionately, he shook his red head.
"Gone!" said he.
And Old Bram, on the other side:
"Just missed him! Gone—this mornin'!"
"Gone!" exclaimed Johannes, terrified and not understanding. "Where?"
"Well," replied Sjaak, "if he'd only come back and tell me where, I'd know more than I do."
And Bram, whom Sjaak could not see, on account of the screen, said to Marjon:
"He promised me," striking the woolen covers with his fist, "that I'll not be lost. He promised it, and I count on it. I just do!"
"What has happened to him?" asked Marjon, gradually comprehending.