"Yes, don't you remember? They came and said good-bye last week. They'll be back in twelve months.... Don't you remember? They thought they could live more cheaply in India...."
"Yes, yes, I remember," said the old woman.
"India ... I wish I could go there myself...."
She felt as if she must go there to have warmth in and around her. And yet ... Ernst was back; and at the card-tables were Karel and Cateau; Adolphine and her little tribe; Otto and Frances were there; Van der Welcke, Dorine and Paul, Addie....
"There are a good many, after all," she said to Constance. "There are a great many.... But I miss ... I miss...."
"Whom, Mamma?"
"I miss my big lad ... I miss Gerrit. Where is Gerrit?"
"He hasn't been very well lately, Mamma. I don't think he'll come."
"He's ill again...."
"Not ill, but...."