"That'll save her a cab-fare," thought Anton Dercksz.
"Yes," said Lily, "we might as well be going on, don't you think so, Uncle?"
"Certainly, dear."
"Frits'll come on presently, won't you, after barracks? I'll just go and get on my things. I do think it so nice of you, Uncle Anton, to come and have a look at the baby. I had begun to despair of your ever coming, for you had promised me so long...."
"You see Uncle always keeps his promises, dear...."
He said it with the appearance of kindliness, put out his hand as she passed, drew her to him and, as though under the softening influence of the visit, gave her another long, lingering kiss. She shuddered and hurried away. In the passage she met her husband, buckling on his sword.
"Don't let that filthy old scoundrel kiss you like that!" hissed Frits, furiously.
"How can I help it? The brute makes me sick!..."
He went out, slamming the front-door, thinking that his young happiness was already being defiled because they were hard up and had to besmirch themselves in consequence. Ina, Uncle and Aunt waited in the dining-room until Lily was ready.
"Uncle Daan must be very comfortably off," said Ina, with glittering eyes. "Papa, who is bound to know, always refuses to talk about money and wouldn't say how much he thought Uncle Daan had...."