IV.
"There's Dolf bringing Madame Puzzel back with him," said Nelle, after about an hour.
The gangway swung under the weight of two people and sabots sounded on the bridge, while a voice cried:
"Tobias! Tobias! get the lantern and light Madame Puzzel."
Tobias took one of the candles and carefully sheltered it with his hand as he opened the door.
"This way," he cried, holding it ajar. "This way!"
The midwife stepped down the ladder, and a man followed her.
"Ah! Madame Puzzel, Riekje will be pleased to see you. Come in," said
Tobias. "Good-evening, lad. Oh! it's Lucas."
"Good evening, Tobias," said the young man. "Dolf has stayed behind with his comrades, so I brought Madame Puzzel."
"Come and have a drink, my son, then you can go back to Dolf."