"Could it really be ... the old man?"
"And, if it were the old man ... what then?" said Adèletje. "I ... I shall remain in the house. I shall die, here, I think, at Uncle and Aunt's."
"Oh, do hush, Adèletje!" said Gerdy, limply, nestling in her sister's arms.
"I'm not afraid of dying."
"Oh, Adèletje, do hush, do hush! You mustn't talk of dying."
"Listen! I hear it again!"
"But now it's trailing away."
"Like a draught sucking in the air."
"Yes," said Adèletje, "I expect it's the old man."
"Why should it be he?"