"Yes, he had known the old woman formerly, and then they were good friends, and were often together--I will just tell it that way--and they were to marry, but something came between them; and so--and--for that reason the comedy was called the 'Child of Love.'"
Walter listened with as much interest as the others; but he was less affected than the girls, who sat quietly staring into space. Stoffel felt called upon to say something.
"That's it! He abused her chastity--that's the way it's spoken of--and she was left to bear the disgrace. The youth of to-day cannot be warned enough against this. How often have I told the boys at school!"
"Listen, Walter, and pay attention to what Stoffel says!"
Encouraged by the approval of his mother, Stoffel continued.
"Yes, mother, virtue must be revered. That is God's will; and what God does is well done. Of all sins sensual pleasure is--a very great sin, because it is forbidden; and because all sins are punished, either in this world or in the next."
"Here, or in the next world, mother! Innocent pleasure, yes; but sensual pleasure--it is forbidden! It loosens all the ties of human society. You see that such a comedy can be very fine. Only you must understand it properly--that's the idea."
"Ah, Juffrouw, what shall I say! He talked a whole lot to the old woman, and was very sad because he had--away back there--because he had----"
"Seduced her," added Stoffel, seeing that Leentje couldn't find the word. "That's what it's called."
"Yes, that's what she said, too; and he promised never to do it again. And then he told the child of love always to follow the path of virtue, and that he would marry the old woman. She was satisfied with the arrangement."
"I suppose so," cried the three girls in a breath. "She will be a rich baroness!"
"Yes," said Leentje, "she became a great lady. And then the child of love fell on the Baron's neck; and they played 'Bridal Wreath.' The 'Child of Love' became a hussar and sang, 'I'm full of honor, I'm full of honor; Oh, I'm a man of honor!' I don't know what became of the old Baron. And then we went home; but the dressmaker took no more pleasure in the play now, because her silver box was gone. I don't know whether the gentleman ever brought it to her, or not."