“But, my dear girl, what a time you are up-stairs this morning! you are generally back from your walk by now,” cried Henk.
She did not answer, but embraced the child, and her eyes grew moist as she did so.
“Put—put it in water, Ben, will you? in some tepid water. There, in the vase, carefully.”
Ben, always obedient and docile, did as he was told. Eline fell back again in the pillows, and looked at her brother-in-law with a faint smile.
“I feel so wretched to-day—not well at all,” she said languidly.
Henk approached nearer, with his hands on his back. [[111]]
“What, on your birthday too?” he asked cheerily. “Come, I would make haste and get down-stairs if I were you, you lazy girl; but let me give you a good kiss first—a real good one, do you hear?” and he pressed his lips on both her checks, while she lay still and smiled.
“And here is a trifle for you, Elly—I hope you will like it,” he continued, as he handed her a small case.
She laughed a little.
“How droll of you to come and bring me my present here! Thank you, Henk, thanks very much.”