“Yes, that’s my name. How did you know it?”
“Sietske——!”
“Why, certainly. Who told you? And what are you doing here. It isn’t very respectable. Are you drunk? And so young, too.”
He called Sietske’s name again.
“You may call me by my first name, if you want to; but how does it come? Did Femke tell you? It’s a real disgrace to lie here like a hog. What were you going to say?”
Walter rubbed his eyes and felt of his head. “I would like to wash myself,” he said, not yet wide awake.
“All right,” cried Mrs. Claus. “And you’re not hurt, are you? Where is your cap?”
“Wash—with cold water,” Walter said.
“Good! Come to the pump with me.” She led him through the house and across the back yard.
“You needn’t be afraid to undress here; nobody can see you. But how did you happen to call me by my first name all at once. Not that I’m offended at all.”