He approached Walter, who was shaking the mud from his cap, glad to think that he was concealing his embarrassment and fright.
“Well, my boy, it’s a good thing I met you here. I wanted to ask you if you wouldn’t like to take dinner with us this evening. Afterwards we will all go out for a little amusement, if you like.”
That was the tone Walter needed to hear. He burst into tears.
“Thank you, thank you! That will be nice for my mother, too.”
Holsma motioned to Kaatje, who had timidly retired to the background.
“Go to Juffrouw Pieterse and tell her that the young gentleman dines with us, and that he is going to spend the evening with us.”
“Yes,” cried Walter quickly, “and——”
The doctor looked at him anxiously. He was afraid that he saw symptoms of the alleged mental disorder; but Walter’s eye was calm and gave no ground for fear.
“M’neer, can’t she say too that I——”
“Out with it, my boy! What have you on your heart?”