"So they are condescending to take me into favour!" she thought, bitterly. "Why only now? Why only now? My boy is thirteen; and they have never asked to see their only grandson. They are hard people! Why only now? I don't like them...."
But all she said was:
"It is very kind of your parents."
She had learnt that in Rome, to say one thing and mean another.
"And when do you want to go to Driebergen?" she asked.
"To-morrow."
"We were to have gone to tea, after dinner, at the Van Saetzemas': Adolphine and her husband."
"I am longing to see my father and mother."
"Very well; offend my family for the sake of yours and write and refuse the Van Saetzemas."
"There is no question of offending anybody. I am longing to see my parents; and we must show them that we appreciate their letter."