The old woman curtsied and grunted.
"A rare exchange!" she said. "To my mind 'tis better to sell corn than to stand up to be shot at, and a deal safer. But I wish you good luck, Mynheer."
"Thanks, Gretel, for that and for all your kindness to me. Is Sherry downstairs?"
"Ja, Mynheer."
"Send him up, if you please. I must tell him the news."
"Oh! he will not be pleased. He has a scorn of soldiers, never a good word to say for them. He is in the right."
Harry smiled as the privileged old housekeeper hobbled out. Sherebiah soon appeared.
"Sherry," said Harry, "I have a thing to tell you. General van Santen has recommended me to the heads of the Dutch army, and I am made an officer of dragoons."
"Zooks!" was the man's astonished exclamation.
"We shall still be together, you and I. I shall want a man, of course; and you will not object to the place?"