"Oh, child, child, what should I do without you? Thank God, dear, that you returned to us at last!... And what will your husband do without his boy?"
"He will come down occasionally. And he is going away for a holiday with Van Vreeswijck.... I only came back to tell you that Ernst is all right. I'm going back to Nunspeet this afternoon. And from there I shall look Bertha up, at Baarn."
"I'm going to Mamma's too," said Emilie, softly.
When they saw that the old woman was tired, Constance and Emilie rose:
"We must go, Mamma...."
"Yes, child. But don't leave me too long alone. When shall I see you again?"
"In three days."
"So long?"
"The others will come and see you: Aunt Lot, Dorine, Adolphine...."
"Yes, but I am too much alone. I can't understand it: I never used to be alone. I don't like being alone. I'm not accustomed to it. What do all of you do?..."