An old nurse entered:
“Freule,” she said to Louise, “meneer asks if you’ll please not talk so loud up here. Meneer can hear Mr. van Raven’s voice.”
“Where is Mr. van Raven now?”
“The blackguard has gone to Mr. Frans and Mr. Henri’s sitting-room.”
“Very well, Leentje, we’ll make less noise. But you mustn’t talk like that.”
“It hurts!” moaned Emilie.
The woman looked at her compassionately:
“The dirty blackguard!” she said. “Did he hit you, my poor dear?...”
“Leentje, I won’t have you speak like that!” said Louise.