Betsy trembled with rage, and wanted to run after Eline. Otto, however, stayed her.
“Let her be, I beg of you!” he entreated.
Henk too had risen, and when Gerard came in they all three felt very much confused before the servant, about the abruptly interrupted dinner, and about the shattered glass.
“Never mind—never mind, Gerard!” said Betsy almost humbly, “never mind. Clear the table.”
It was impossible for them to assume a nonchalant air. Gerard must have noticed that there was something wrong, though his face remained ever so calm and dignified.
Eline in the meantime had rushed up-stairs into her bedroom and thrown herself on her bed. Then she began to sob—but Vincent must not hear it. She sobbed and sobbed until it grew dark; then she heard Vincent walking in the adjoining room, but she lay still and wrung her hands and choked the sobs in her bosom.
Otto had sat down in the drawing-room, and was staring with moist eyes on the ground when Henk entered. He noticed a tear in Otto’s eye, and Henk was roused from his wonted quiet kindliness, and began to boil within him.
“Erlevoort!” said he, and laid his hand on Otto’s shoulder.
Otto lifted up his head.
“Erlevoort! come, old chap, be a man! Sissy is sometimes an awkward little craft to manage, but she is not bad at heart! You [[218]]must not take notice of what she said to you, do you hear? She was only angry with Betsy, because she rather likes Vincent, and so by accident you got your share of it. But you must take no notice of it. That’s the best way to punish her.”