“Yes, and she’s a good woman,” said Holsma. “She is a cousin of ours, and I came to visit her. I do that every week, not as a physician, but as a kinsman. You can go to see her as much as you like: nothing will hurt you there.”
“M’neer!” exclaimed Walter suddenly—and he caught his breath—“I think so much of Femke!”
“So?” answered Holsma dryly. “I do too.”
The doctor was diagnosing Walter’s case; but he preferred to do it quietly. While speaking of indifferent things, he noted that Kaatje had been mistaken; that Walter was both excited and exhausted, but that his mind was unaffected. On the contrary, his mind was growing. His soul was expanding.
When Kaatje left the carriage, Walter felt that the time had come to give and receive explanations. Holsma was of a contrary opinion. He was friendly enough, but showed no inclination for heart-to-heart confidences. Walter’s confusing story was promptly interrupted.
“I’ve heard that you’re going to enter the world of business.”
“Yes, sir, the day after to-morrow.”
“Well, that isn’t bad, if you get into the right hands. You must work, though; and that’s good for boys like you.”
Fearing that Walter might imagine he was something more than the average boy, Holsma continued immediately:
“It’s a good thing for everybody, especially young people. They’re all alike; and all need to work. All boys must work; and girls, too. Everybody must work.”