"Constance," said Adolphine, taking her hand, "it is so kind of you ... and I am so grateful...."
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"My dear, what a fuss you make!" said Constance. "I'm your sister and Marietje is my niece. But...."
"But what?"
"It certainly is kind ... of Henri."
"Yes, it's very nice of your husband."
"You see, it's his house."
"Yes ... and he had so many calls on him," said Adolphine, humbly. "Constance, won't you let me pay something ... for Marietje's keep? So much a month, I mean ... until she's a little better...."
"You'd better not bother to do that, Adolphine."
"You have so many expenses."