Walter Pieterse Part 40

Walter felt better now. He was interested.

"Yes, they're going to get married about--well, I don't know exactly when. But they intend to marry. I tell you, you are a real bachelor; and it's awfully stupid of them still to treat you like a child. I've told your mother so a hundred times. There on the street just now, when we were together--I'm a delicate woman; but do you think I was afraid?--with you with me? Not a bit. Not a trace of fear. And why? Because everybody could see that I had a man with me. I ought to have taken hold of your arm--you're almost taller than I am--but I didn't do it because you had a package. And then--the people talk so much! The watchman might have seen it, and he would have spread the news broadcast that I had been seen at night with a gentleman."

With a gentleman! Walter was listening.

"A woman must always think of her reputation. But we're here at home now, and that's very different, entirely different. I know that of course you wouldn't tell anything bad about me. Whoever tells anything bad on a woman isn't a true gentleman. You know that."

Yes, Walter knew it. He understood Juffrouw Laps better than she imagined.

"What I wanted to say was, you must never go through that street. So long as you were a child, it made no difference. But now! Let me fill your gla.s.s for you."

Walter drank.

O Fancy, my muse, where art thou?

"How do you like it?"

Walter owned that the liquor had a pleasant taste.

Satan's handmaid filled the gla.s.ses again. They were "so small,"

really "mere thimbles."

"And you must eat something, dearest. Oh, I have always thought so much of you! It's good for you to have a little dram like that."

Walter began to eat.

"Just take off your coat; there's n.o.body here but us."

Quite so. Walter did take off his coat.

"And I'm going to sit close to you, for you are a dear, good, sweet boy."

Fancy, Fancy!

The liquor was strong, and Walter drank more of it than was good for him. He lost some of his modesty, and hardly knew what he was saying to the talkative Juffrouw, as she asked questions from time to time. She was not quite satisfied with the way things were going, but hoped for the best.

Occasionally Walter found time to wonder why he was there, what the purpose of the enforced visit might be. His hostess seemed to have forgotten all about those thieves and murderers; and when he reminded her of them, she showed a spirit of valor that did him good. For he and his valor were undone.

"I will do them! Do you think I'm afraid of such a fellow? Well, I guess not. Not afraid of three of them. I wouldn't be afraid of ten of them--I'm not afraid of the whole world. I will do them."

All the better, thought Walter; for then he wouldn't have to "do" them.

They now heard something rustling around in the closet, or else they imagined they heard something. Walter was frightened. He was a perfect child again.

"Stay here, and I will see what it is," cried the Juffrouw. "Do you think I would let them beat you, or stab you, or murder you, my boy! Never! Whoever touches you will have to walk over me. But I will give them all they need."

She went out, taking the light with her, to see what was the matter--if anything. She was careful to leave Walter in the dark long enough for him to wish for her return. The tables were being turned. A little more, and the boy would seek protection under her ap.r.o.n.

"But, Juffrouw----"

"I will let you call me Christine. That's my name."

This was too much for Walter. He preferred to avoid addressing her directly.

"But hadn't I better go home now?"

"Not at all. You don't want to leave me, do you? You know your mother is in bed asleep now. Besides, it was understood that you were to spend the night here and take breakfast with me."

Breakfast! The boy hadn't been doing anything else for an hour. Was that to continue till morning?

"I'll tell you what! Just undress yourself; and you needn't be a bit ashamed before me. I will make down a pallet for you there in the corner. When I'm here alone--just a woman--with all the thieves and robbers--oh, it's so horrible!"

Walter did not dare to say no; nor did he dare to do what was proposed so enticingly. He hesitated.

She talked sweetly and persuaded him.

He began to----

The child was as if hypnotized.

O Fancy, Fancy! Where art thou?

CHAPTER XXVIII

It will be remembered that on this significant Friday a boat-race had been arranged for the amus.e.m.e.nt of the visiting princes and princesses. It had to be called off on account of a disinclination on the side of the wind to fill its part of the program, or rather, to fill the sails. For it was to have been a "sail." Rowing was not in style then; it was not considered dignified and manly. Besides, the boats were not built to be propelled in this way.

The boat-race had been canceled; but the crowd remained, and continued to discharge its enthusiasm for royalty till a late hour. It was a great day; and the populace perspired and shouted and howled.

It was so hot that kings and princesses perspired like ordinary mortals. They flourished fans indolently. At that time there was a special kind of fan: "joujoux de Normandie."

It was observed that the old countess-palatine manipulated her fan more elegantly than anyone else. No doubt it was through this "gentle art"

that she exerted her greatest influence on humanity.

Gradually the carriages of the distinguished guests disappeared, and the knightly hors.e.m.e.n tired of the saddle. The day drew to a close. The populace pushed and crowded and sang and hurrahed and drank. Fireworks were discharged, to express, so the newspapers said, the inexpressible love of the people for princes and princesses.

Oh, those firecrackers, and the danger in them! Quick, quick--throw it--a second longer and it will burst in your hand--hurrah!

It was magnificent--the danger and thrilling anxiety. There was a tradition that somebody had once held a firecracker in his hand too long and had been badly hurt by it. This traditional "somebody"

was now inspiring the revelers with fresh enthusiasm.

So it was on that evening, before the city authorities had prohibited the use of fireworks. After the houses had been covered with slate, it was thought that there was too much danger of fire in firecrackers, but on that evening, when the houses still had thatch roofs, the dangerous pleasure of Amsterdam youth was unrestrained.

And the other dangerous pleasures! How many la.s.ses went home with their skirts singed, some of them hardly getting home at all. Interesting adventures! And a boy--"those boys have to have their noses in everything"--yes, a youth came very near getting a load in his face. Thrilling delight!