Old People and the Things That Pass

by Louis Couperus

"What a long time!" said Ina.

"I was a girl of ... seventeen," said Aunt Stefanie. "Yes, it was a long time ago."

"And you were seventeen."

"Yes.... That's when Papa Dercksz died."

"Grandpapa?"

"Yes. He was drowned, you know."

"Yes, it dates back to that time."

"Yes.... What can it be?"

"Do you remember Grandmamma's baboe?"

"I do. She was called Ma-Boeten."