“Oh yes, it was very nice. I only wish that Henk had not been such an awful bore. He never said a word, and with his stupid face he sat there fumbling at his watch-chain until he could go and take his hand at whist.”
Then with a somewhat angry movement Betsy kicked her dainty little shoes from her feet.
Eline sighed languidly.
“Did you tell Madame Verstraeten that I was not well?”
“Yes; but you know when I come home at night I like to go to bed. We can talk to-morrow, eh?”
Eline knew that her sister when she returned home at night was always more or less irritable. Still she was tempted to give her a sharp answer, but she felt too unnerved for it. With her lips she lightly touched Betsy’s cheek, and quite unconsciously laid her head on her sister’s shoulder, in a sudden and irresistible longing for tenderness.
“Are you really ill, eh, or——?”
“No. Only a little—lazy. Good-night.”
“Pleasant dreams!”
Eline retired with languid steps. Betsy proceeded to undress.