The front-door downstairs was opened; there were sounds of footsteps and voices. Ordinary life was beginning again.
"There are Uncle and Addie," said Constance. "Emilie, I'm going to Nunspeet this afternoon."
"I'm going to Otto and Frances after lunch. Let us meet at the station; and I'll go to Nunspeet with you. I want to see Uncle Ernst. And then we'll go to Baarn together."
"Very well, dear. But will you do one thing, to please me?"
"Yes, Auntie."
"Dress a little more simply. Remember that we're in Holland."
Emilie gave a shrill laugh:
"Yes, Auntie. I'll go and buy myself a sailor-hat. All my hats are too exciting for the Hague. The butcher-boys were shouting after me: 'Hat! ... Hat!' And, at Nunspeet and Baarn, I know the whole village would turn out to look at me!"