Mere uncertainty, even when in no way connected with what is occupying us, has a sort of paralyzing effect. Besides, when one is interrupted in one’s anger, afterwards it is difficult to find the place where one left off.
This was Juffrouw Laps’s experience; she tried it, but it wouldn’t work. Her “a sucking animal, a sucking animal!” was smothered by, “What can it mean? He never comes before ten!”
Juffrouw Pieterse quickly availed herself of this diversion to get them all seated again.
Trudie was commissioned to “straighten out” the children, who came off rather badly. The hostess was just about to state a new zoölogical argument, which should establish peace between the hostile parties, when the door opened and Master Pennewip stood before the agitated assembly.
He, too, was agitated: the reader knows it.
The surprise caused by the arrival of this unexpected visitor had a most favorable effect on the peace negotiations. A truce was tacitly declared, though not without the proviso, at least on Juffrouw Laps’s part, that hostilities should be reopened as soon as curiosity as to Pennewip’s visit had been sufficiently satisfied. Indeed, she was all the more willing for a truce, as it was evident from the man’s appearance that there was something momentous at hand. His wig cried out fire and murder in unmistakable tones. And that was just what the good Juffrouw Laps liked.
“Good-evening, Juffrouw Pieterse; my humblest respects. I see you have company, but——”
“That ‘doesn’t make a bit of difference,’ Master Pennewip.‘Come right in and take a seat.’”
These forms of expression were rigidly observed in the “citizen populace,” III, 7. c.
“Won’t you drink a cup with us?”