“Yes; and Femke is a real wash-girl. I hope that Princess Erika has as admirable a character as Femke. But don’t attribute too much importance to this, my boy. Such differences in related families are of frequent occurrence, whether one notices them, or not. There was a time when Erika’s forefathers dressed themselves in skins; and mine did the same. We don’t know whether she is aware that she has relations here or not. Uncle Sybrand found out—well, he takes a sort of pleasure in tracing out the identity of opposites. Rightly understood, the world is smaller than you imagine; everything is a link in the same sequence. Who knows but that you may turn the course of history to-morrow, when you go to work for—what is the style of the firm?”
“Ouwetyd & Kopperlith.”
“Yes, when you go to work for Ouwetyd & Kopperlith. But, whether it’s to be an historical event, or not, perform your immediate duty. That is the chivalrous, manly thing for you to do—if you will take my advice. Will you?”
“Yes, M’neer! But—Femke?”
“There you go again! She has nothing to do with your immediate duty. The lady that you must attend upon and serve faithfully is—who?”
“Do you mean ‘Business’?”
“Right. If you are determined to know more about Femke, I will tell you what she says. She says that for the present you must think of nothing but your work.”
“Oh, I will, I will!”
“For about ten years.”
“Ten years? Ten?”