"Yes, he is, he's ill.... He's very seriously ill.... Constance...."
"What is it, Mamma?"
"You're the only one to whom I dare say it.... Constance, Gerrit is very ... very ill.... Hush ... he's ... he's dead!..."
"No, Mamma, he's not dead."
"He is dead."
"No, Mamma."
"Yes, child.... Look, don't you see, in the other room?..."
"What, Mamma?"
"That he's dead."
"No."