“That is Europe. The earth is round; that is, it consists of two halves, like a doughnut. You see, it looks like a pair of spectacles. With that half we are not concerned. That’s America. You can put your feet on it if you want to. Here is where we live; there is England; and here is Africa. The people there are uncivilized. They can’t read, and they don’t wear many clothes. But when a traveler comes along they are very nice to him—the book says so. I’m going down there and teach all the people to read and give them clothes and see to it that there is no injustice done in the whole land. And then we will——”
“I, too?” asked Femke in amazement.
“Why, certainly! I wanted to ask you if you were willing to go with me. We will be man and wife, you understand; so when I get to be king you will be——”
“I? Queen?”
She laughed. Involuntarily she rose and trampled to pieces all the kingdoms that Walter had just laid at her feet.
“Oh, you boy! How did you get such nonsense into your head? You are still a child!”
“Will you wait then till I’m grown up? Will you let me be your friend?”
“Certainly! Only you mustn’t think of that nonsense—not that you may not go to Africa later. Why not? Many people go on journeys. Formerly there lived a carpenter near us, and he went to the Haarlem with his whole family. But—marrying!”
She laughed again. It pained Walter. The poor boy’s first proposal was turning out badly.