"Yes," Mrs. Dercksz assented, unable to see them, but now knowing about the asters.
She understood him quite well; her general deafness she concealed by never asking what was said and by replying with a smile of her thin, closed lips or a movement of her head.
After a pause, as each sat looking out of his own window, she said:
"I saw Ottilie yesterday."
The old gentleman felt bewildered for a moment:
"Ottilie?" he asked.
"Lietje ... my daughter...."
"Oh, yes!... You saw Lietje yesterday.... I thought you were speaking of yourself."
"She was crying."
"Why?"