At home they had taught him how he must stand and sit and speak; and now he stood there, as awkward as a cow, stammering and stuttering. Making a supreme effort he managed to get it out that he had “come to thank the doctor” for his recovery—“but God first”!
The two soldiers bit their lips; and even the doctor found it difficult to keep a straight face.
“God first! Well said, my boy. Have you already thanked God?”
“Yes, M’nheer, every evening in bed, and yesterday at church.”
Little Sietske unable to control herself any longer had to laugh outright. Her laughter threatened to become contagious. William was busier than usual with his nose; Hermann had come to life and was eyeing Walter slyly.
“Order!” thundered the doctor, giving the table a rap with a ruler that made the globe tremble. Walter was frightened. “Order! This is a nice caper during study-hours.”
The clock began to strike. Sietske seemed to be counting, for at every stroke she raised a finger.
“I am going to——”
“Five!” she cried. “All my fingers—just look, five! Five o’clock, papa—Tyrant! Hurrah, hurrah!”
Both boys joined in the uproar. It was a quodlibet from “Gaudeamus igitur,” “Vive la joie,” and “God save the king.” Forward, all! Vive la vacance! A bas les tyrans! Revenge! * * * *