“I think they are the jolliest things in the world!” was his reply.
He said the word jolly in a very funny way, as though he was not accustomed to the word, and it sounded quite sweet.
At last we got to the lower regions, and then, guided by Hannah’s candle—which was really only like a very little spark of light—we found our way into the kitchen.
“Once this was a grand house and grand people lived here,” I said. “Father lives here now because it belongs to the college. The house is a great deal too big for us, but it is a glorious place for hide-and-seek. This is the kitchen—monstrous dinners used to be cooked here.”
“Now then, Miss Rachel, what do you want?” said Hannah. “And I think young gents as ought to be at school ought to keep out of the Professor’s kitchen. That’s what I think.”
“Oh, please, Hannah,” I said, “this gentleman is from over the seas—he comes from Holland, where the beautiful tulips are grown, and his name is Mr Von Marlo.”
“Catch me trying to say a mouthful of a name like that!” was Hannah’s rejoinder.
“He is exceedingly kind,” I continued, “and he is going to help us.”
“Yes, I will help you if you will let me,” said Von Marlo, speaking in his slow and rather distinct way, and not gabbling his words as we English do.
“I want tea and toast and an egg for father; he is waiting for them, and we must hurry,” I said. “Hannah, be as quick as you can.”