While Walter was looking at Femke's cap and revolving other plans of escape, the door opened and Kaatje, the girl from Holsma's, walked in. Not recognizing her, Walter did not understand her when she said that Femke had sent her to ask how he was. He looked at the messenger searchingly; then he asked:
He had puzzled over recent events till everything seemed ghostly and unreal; and he was angry.
"What Femke? Somebody's grandmother again." He took a step forward; and his attitude was threatening.
"Are you that giant Miller's sweetheart?" taking another step forward, while Kaatje fell back.
Kaatje was already outside of the door, Walter close after her with his fists doubled up.
"What's the matter with me? I'm tired of being made a fool of. You understand?"
She retreated backwards; he pursued. It may have looked comical; but that was the way his anger chose to express itself. In this manner the girl returned by the same way she came, which was the footpath across the meadow where the clothes were dried.
"Oh, heavens! If the doctor would only come."
"What do you think of me?" Walter said, punctuating his words.
"No, no!--Where can the doctor be so long!"
Two very similar shouts put an end to the strained situation.
One cry came from Dr. Holsma's coachman, who was driving up hurriedly; the other cry meant that two boys, who were fishing in the ditch for frogs, had caught Walter's cap.
Walter accepted his lost property without question or complaint; while Kaatje, with tears in her eyes, ran up to Dr. Holsma to explain what was the matter.
"Is it really so bad?" asked that gentleman presently.
He approached Walter, who was shaking the mud from his cap, glad to think that he was concealing his embarrassment and fright.
"Well, my boy, it's a good thing I met you here. I wanted to ask you if you wouldn't like to take dinner with us this evening. Afterwards we will all go out for a little amusement, if you like."
That was the tone Walter needed to hear. He burst into tears.
"Thank you, thank you! That will be nice for my mother, too."
Holsma motioned to Kaatje, who had timidly retired to the background.
"Go to Juffrouw Pieterse and tell her that the young gentleman dines with us, and that he is going to spend the evening with us."