FrisoEijsinck,veryclosebesideher,saidsoftly,“Youlikethelyricstothissong.”

“Yes,”saidHarriet.

“Youthinkitispossibleforamantofeellikethataboutawoman?”

“Yes,”answeredHarriet.Regrettably,herconversationalpowershaddesertedher.Perhapsagoodthing,forshewashavingdifficultywithherbreathing.

“ItexpressessentimentswhichIdonotthinkIcanimproveupon,”saidDr.Eijsinckthoughtfully,“unlessitisbydoingthis….”

Shewascaught,turnedandheldclose—andthenkissed.Shehadbeenkissedbefore,butneverinthisfashion.Againstallcommonsense,shekissedhimback.Whenshedrewawayheloosenedhisholdatonce,butwithoutreleasingher….

RomancereadersaroundtheworldweresadtonotethepassingofBettyNeelsinJune2001.Hercareerspannedthirtyyears,andshecontinuedtowriteintoherninetiethyear.Tohermillionsoffans,Bettyepitomizedtheromancewriter,andyetshebeganwritingalmostbyaccident.Shehadretiredfromnursing,butherinquiringmindstillsoughtstimulation.Hernewcareerwasbornwhensheheardaladyinherlocallibrarybemoaningthelackofgoodromancenovels.Betty’sfirstbook,SisterPetersinAmsterdam,waspublishedin1969,andsheeventuallycompleted134books.Hernovelsofferareassuringwarmththatwasverymuchapartofherownpersonality.Shewasawonderfulwriter,andshewillbegreatlymissed.Herspiritandgenuinetalentwillliveoninallherstories.

THEBESTOF

BETTYNEELS

TempestuousApril

CONTENTS

CHAPTERONE

CHAPTERTWO

CHAPTERTHREE

CHAPTERFOUR

CHAPTERFIVE

CHAPTERSIX

CHAPTERSEVEN

CHAPTEREIGHT

CHAPTERNINE

CHAPTERTEN

CHAPTERELEVEN

CHAPTERONE

MEN’SSURGICALwasquiet—therehadbeentwoemergencyadmissionsbeforemidnight;acaseintheatre—arathernastyappendix—atoneo’clock,andacardiacarrestathalfpasttwo;thesehappeningsinterspersedbyoldMrGadd’sfrequentandsuccessfulattemptstoclimboverhiscotsidesandambledownthewardinsearchofrefreshment.ButnoneofthesehappeningsappearedtohaveupsetMissHarrietSlocombe,sitting,asneatasanewpin,atSister’sdesk,writingthebarebonesofherreport.Sheappearedtobeasfreshastheproverbialdaisyandwouldhavebeengenuinelysurprisedifanyonehadsuggestedtoherthatshehadhadabusynight.Shesuckedthetopofherballpointandfrownedattheclatterofplatesfromthekitchenwhereherjuniornursewascuttingbreadandbutterforthepatients’breakfasts.Itwasfouro’clock,almosttimeforher,incompanywithNursePotter,toconsumetheteaandtoastwithwhichtheyfortifiedthemselvesbeforebeginningtheirearlymorningwork.MissSlocomberemovedthepenfromhermouthandgotupinordertodoaroundofherpatients.Shewentfrombedtobed,makingnosound,dueverylargelytothefactthatshehadremovedhershoesfromherfeetsometimepreviously,andwasinherstockings.TheshoesstoodsidebysideunderSister’sdesk,waitingtobedonnedagainafterherteabreak.Shereachedtheendofthewardandpausedbythewindowsopeningontothebalcony,tolookoutintothechillgloomoftheearlymorning.Marchcouldbedreary;especiallyjustbeforedawn.Shestoodwatchingthefinedrizzleandthoughtwithpleasureofthethree-weekholidayshewastohaveinafortnight’stime…andattheendofitshewouldbecomingbacktoStNick’sasWardSisterofMen’sSurgical.Arosyfuture,shetoldherselfrobustly,andsighed.Shewastwenty-fouryearsoldandpretty,withwideblueeyes,aretroussénoseandagentlycurvingmouth;sheworeherbrightblondehair—theenvyofherfriends—inacomplicatedknotontopofherhead,andherpersonwassmall,sothatshelookedextremelyfragile.Shewasinfact,asstrongasanox.Shehadafaintairofreserveandanastytemperwhenroused,whichwasseldom.Shewaslikedbyeveryoneinthehospitalwiththepossibleexceptionofoneortwoofthehousemen,whohadexpectedhertobeasfragileasherappearanceandwerestillsmartingfromherastringenttongue.They

calledherHaughtyHarryamongstthemselves,andwhenshehadheardaboutit,shehadlaughedwitheverybodyelse,butalittlewistfully,becausesheknewthatwiththerightmanshewouldn’tbeintheleasthaughty…Shesighedagain,andwenttotuckupMrGaddwhohad,asusual,fallensoundasleepatthewrongendofthenight.Inthenextbedtohim,thetheatrecaseopenedhazyeyesandsaidinawoollydruggedvoice,

‘Cor,dangme,you’masprettyasapicture,’andwentimmediatelytosleepagain.

Harrietsmiled,awarm,motherlysmile,whollywithoutconceit;shewasawarethatshewasaprettygirl,buttwoeldersistersandthreebrothersyoungerthanherselfhadtaughtheratanearlyagetoputthingsintheirproperperspective.Shehadlongsinceoutgrownheryouthfuldreamsofcaptivatingsomeyoung,handsomeandwealthymanwithhergoodlooks;butoutgrownthoughtheymightbe,theyhadsofarmadeitimpossibleforhertosettleforanythingless.Shemovedsoundlesslydowntheward,adjustedtwodrips,tookabloodpressureandcarefullyandgentlyexaminedthetwoemergencies;theyweresleepingsoundly.ShesupposedthattheywouldgotoTheatreduringtheday.Shereachedthelastbedandstoodamomentfacingthequietward,listening.Sheignoredthesnores,thesighsandMrBolt’stracheostomytube’sfaintwhistle,sheignoredthebackgroundsissingofthehotwaterpipesandthesoftrhythmoftheelectricpumpbeneathyoungButcher’sbed—allthesesoundswerefamiliar;sheknewwhoandwhatmadethem.Itwasothersoundsshewaslisteningfor—achangeinbreathing,anunexpectedlysuddenrestlessnessandmoresinister—thequietfromabedwherethereshouldbethesmallsoundsofasleepingman.Hertrainedeardetectednothinguntoward,however,andshenodded,wellsatisfied,andturnedtoSister’stable,justasNursePotter,plumpandbeaming,edgedherselfroundthewarddoorwithatray.Sheputitdowncarefullyandwhisperedbreathily,

‘ImadeBovriltoast,Staff,’andindicatedthegenerouspilebeforethem.Harrietwasalreadypouringoutthetea.

‘Good.IloveitandI’mfamished.Ionlyhopewe’llgetthechancetoeatitall.’

Theybegantomunch,andpresently,whentheirhungerwasalittleblunted,Harrietstartedtoplanthemorning’swork.

Nightnurses’breakfastwasalwaysanoisymeal—everyonetalkedandlaughedwithafalseenergyinspiredbytheknowledgethatthenightwasoveroncemore.Theparalysisoftirednesswhichhadcreptoverthemintheearlyhoursofthemorninghadbeenforgotten.Later,itwouldreturn,sothatthosewhoweren’talreadyinbedwereliabletosleepinthebathordropoffoveralate

morningcupofcocoa—inthemeantimetheywereallburstingwithvigour.Thestaffnursessatatatableontheirown;therewereperhapsadozenofthem,ofwhomHarrietwasthelasttoarrivethatmorning.Latethoughshewas,shelookedunruffledandincrediblyneatandnotintheleasttired.

‘Westayedtohelp,’shevolunteeredasshesatdown.‘There’sbeenanaccidentatthebrickworks.’

Therewasanunderstandingmurmur—thebrickworkswasnotoriousforthefactthatitcouldalwaysbereliedupontofillanyvacantbedinMen’sSurgicalatalltimes.

Shewaslefttomakeasubstantialbreakfastatherleisure,andnotuntilshehadpouredherthirdcupofteadidsomeoneask,

‘HasanyoneseenthenewRMO?Ioughttohavedone—afterall,IamonMedical,butallIgotlastnightwasourMrRugg.’MrRuggwasyounganduncertainanddefinitelynotalady’sman.ThespeakerlookedaroundthetableuntilhereyelighteduponHarriet,whohadgoneadeliciouspink.

‘Imighthaveknown…Harry,wheredidyoumeethim?’Harryputdownhercup.‘Hecameontothewardlastnight,’shesaid

serenely.‘Wehadthatcardiacarrest,remember?’Shelookedinsidetheemptyteapotandputitdownagainresignedly.‘He’snice—good-lookingandoneofthosegravellyvoicesandpolishedmanners—’Shewasinterruptedbyachorusofknowinggroans;whentheyhadsubsidedsheaddedgently,‘He’sengaged.’

Adisappointedvoiceasked,‘Howdoyouknow?Hecouldn’thavehadtimetotellyouthat!’

‘Hetalkedwhilehewasmakingupthechart.Iexpecthefeltlonelyandwantedtotalkabouther.PerhapsI’vegotasympatheticface,’sheobservedhopefully,andwasgreetedbyashriekoffriendlylaughter;herfriendsandacquaintancesholdingtheopinionthatanyoneasprettyasHarrySlocombeneededtobenothingelse.Afteramomentshelaughedwiththem,privatelywonderingwhyeveryoneotherthanherownfamilyattachedsuchimportancetolooks.

Acoupleofhourslatershewassittingupinbedreadingsleepilywhentherewasaknockonthedoorandatallwell-builtgirlcamein.

Harrietputherbookdown.‘Sieske,you’reneveronatelevenagain?’Thegirlnoddedgloomilyandcametositontheendofthebed.Shewas

nice-looking,withapleasant,placidfaceframedinpalehairwhichsheworeinanunfashionableandhighlybecomingbuninthenapeofherneck.

‘AuntAgnesmustloatheme,’sheremarked.AuntAgneswastheSisteronMen’sMedical,shehadbeenthereforunnumberedyearsandmadeahabitofloathingeveryone.‘ItisbecauseIamnotEnglish,youthink?’

Harrietshookherhead.‘Sheneverlikesanyone.Ishouldn’tworryanyway,it’sonlyanothertwoweeks,isn’tit?Ishallmissyou,Sieske.’

‘Meyoutoo,’saidSieskewithobscuresincerity.ShepattedherbunwithalargecapableandverybeautifulhandandturnedsolemnblueeyesonHarriet.

‘Harry,willyounotcomewithmewhenIgo?Youhavethreeweeks’holiday;youcouldseemuchofHollandinthattime—weshouldallbesoglad;myfamilythinkofyouasafriend,youknow.Itellthemmanytimesofmyvisitstoyourhome—weshallbehighlypleasedtohaveyouasguest.Itisaquietplacewherewelive,butwehavemanyfriends,andthecountryisprettytoo.’Shepausedandwentonshyly,‘IshouldlikeyoutomeetWierd.’Wierdwasherfiancé;afterseveralmonthsoffriendshipwithSieske,Harrietlookeduponhimasanoldfriend,justastheDutchgirl’sfamily—hermotherandfather,youngersistersandtheolderbrotherwhohadjustqualifiedasadoctoratLeiden—seemedlikeoldfriendstoo.TheDutchgirlhadtoldhersomuchaboutthemthatshefeltthatshealreadyknewthem.ItwouldbedelightfultogoandstaywithSieskeandmeetthemall—therewasapartnertoo,sheremembered;mentionedcasuallyfromtimetotime.Harrietsearchedhersleep-cloggedbrainforhisname.FrisoEijsinck.Shedidn’tknowmuchmoreabouthimthanhisname,though.Sieskehadmentionedtoothathewasn’tmarried.Harrietfeltfaintlysympathetictowardshim,picturinghimasamiddle-agedbachelorwithasoup-stainedwaistcoat.Shedismissedhisvagueimagefromhermind.

‘I’dlovetocome,’shesaidwarmly.‘Butareyousureitwillbeallrightwithyourfamily?’

Sieskesmiled.‘ButofcourseIamsure.Alreadytheyhavewrittenwithaninvitation,whichIextendtoyou.Iammosthappy,astheywillbe.Wewillmakeplanstogetherforthejourney.’Shegotup.‘NowyouwillsleepandIwillwritetoMoeder.’

‘We’llarrangeitallonmynightsoff,’saidHarrietsleepily.‘Getadayoffandcomehomewithme—tellAuntAgnesyouhavetogotoyourgrandmother’sfuneral.’

‘Ajoke?’queriedSieske.ShehadahandonthedoorbutpausedtolookbackdoubtfullyatHarriet.ButHarrietwasalreadyasleep.

Harriet’sfamilylivedinasmallwestcountryvillagesomefortymilesfromthecitywheresheworked.Herfatherhadhadapracticetherefortwenty-fiveyearsormoreandlivedinaroomyratherramshacklehousethathadshelteredhislargefamilywithease,andnowhousedagrowingbandofgrandchildrenduringschoolholidays.Hiseldestsonhadjustqualifiedinhisturnandhadalreadytakenhisplaceinthewide-flungpractice.Itwashewhofetchedthetwogirlsfromhospitalafewdayslater.HeownedanelderlySprite,whichwas

alwaysoverloadedwithpassengers,butbothgirlswereusedtotravellinginthiscrampedfashionandpackedthemselvesinwithoutdemur.Thecountrylookedfreshandgreenaftertherain,themoorsrolledawayintothedistance—Harriettiedascarftightlyroundherhairanddrewadeepbreath;shewasalwayshappiestwherethehorizonwaswide.Thevillagelookedcosy,withitsthatchedandcobwalledcottages;thedaffodilswereoutinthedoctor’sgardenastheyshotupthedriveandstoppedwithatooth-joltingjerkatthefrontdoor.Thegirlsscrambledoutandraninsidetothecomfortoftheshabbyhallandthencetothebigsitting-roomatthebackofthehouse,whereMrsSlocombewaswaitingwithteaandthewarmwelcomesheofferedtoanyonewhosetfootinsideherhome.Shelistenedtothegirls’plansastheyatetheirwaythroughhome-madesconeswithagreatdealofbutterandjam,andthelargefruitcakeMrsSlocombehadthoughtfullybakedagainsttheircoming.Sherefilledtheircupsandsaidcalmly,‘Howlovelyforyou,Harrydarling.You’llneedapassportandaphoto—bettergointotowntomorrowandgetthemsettled.Howwillyougo?’

Sieskeanswered,‘FromHarwich.WecangobytrainfromtheHoekandmyfatherwillmeetusatLeeuwarden.’

MrsSlocombereplenishedtheteapot.‘Travelbroadensthemind,’sheobserved,andlookedatHarriet,immersedinamap.Suchadearchild,andsounlikeherbrothersandsisterswithherdelicateprettinessandfemininityandsogentlypliantuntiloneencounteredthesturdycoreofproudindependenceandplaincommonsensebeneathit.MrsSlocombesighed.ItwouldbenicetoseeHarriethappilymarriedashertwosisterswere.Heavenknewitwasn’tforlackofopportunity,thedeargirlwassurroundedbymenasthoughtheywerebeesroundahoneypot;andshetreatedallofthemasthoughtheywerebrothers.PerhapsshewouldmeetsomenicemaninHolland.MrsSlocombesmiledhappilyatthethoughtandgavehermindtotheseriousbusinessoftherightclothestotake.

Theyspenttherestofthateveningmakingtheirplans,helpedandsometimeshinderedbytheadviceandsuggestionsprofferedbymembersofthefamilyandtheirfriendsastheydriftedinandoutofthesitting-room.HerbrotherWilliam,cominginfromeveningsurgery,remarkedwithalltheexperienceofsomeonewhohadbeentotheContinentofEuropeonseveraloccasions,‘Stillatit?Goodlord,Harry,anyonewouldthinkyouweregoingtotheothersideoftheworldinsteadoftheothersideoftheNorthSea.’

Hissisterremainedunmovedbyhisobservations,andmerelypickedupasmallcushionandthrewitathisheadwiththeunerringaimofmuchpractice.‘Beast,’shesaidaffectionately.‘Butitistheothersideoftheworldtome,isn’tit?I’veneverbeenoutsideBritainbefore,soanypartoftheworldisforeign—

justasforeignastheothersideoftheworld—andeveryoneImeetwillbeaforeigner.’

Thisingenuousremarkcausedagreatdealofmerriment.‘Ihope,’saidWilliam,halfseriously,‘thatyou’llrememberthatyouaregoingtobetheforeigner.’

‘Harrietwillnotfeelforeignwithus,’saidSieskestoutly.‘WeallspeakEnglish—thatis,FatherandAedeandFrisospeakitverywell,andMagginaandTaeikearelearningitatschool—onlymymotherdoesnotspeakitthoughshedoesattimesunderstand.’

‘Andthenthere’syou,’pointedoutHarriet.‘YouspeakmarvellousEnglish.’Sieskeglowedwithpleasure.‘Yes,IthinkIdo,butthenyouhelpedmevery

much;itisnotaneasylanguagetolearn.’‘Nor,Igather,isDutch,’remarkedDrSlocombedryly,‘althoughitdoesn’t

soundasthoughHarrywillneedtoknowonewordofit.’‘No,ofcourseshewon’t,’agreedMrsSlocombecomfortably.Shelooked

acrosstheroomatherdaughterandthoughtwithmaternalsatisfactionwhataveryprettygirlshewas.Agreatdealcouldhappeninthreeweeks,whateverpartoftheworldonehappenedtobein.

CHAPTERTWO

THEYTRAVELLEDbythenightboatfromHarwich,andHarriet,whoselongestseatriphadbeenbetweenPenzanceandtheScillies,wasdisagreeablysurprisedtofindtheNorthSeasospiteful.Shelayinherbunk,listeningtoSieske’sgentlebreathingaboveher,andwonderedifshewouldbeseasick.Itwasfortunatethatshefellasleepwhileshewasstillmakinguphermindaboutthis,anddidn’twakeupuntilthestewardesswakenedthemwiththeirearlymorningtea.ItwasdelightfultotaketurnswithSieske,topeeroutoftheportholeatthelowcoastofHolland.Itlookedasflatasshehadalwaysimagineditwouldbe,andlonelyaswell.Anhourlater,however,disembarkingamidstthecheerfulbustle,shereversedheropinion.Thereseemedtobeagreatmanypeople,allworkingveryhardandapparentlydelightedtoseethepassengerscomingofftheboat;alargerportertooktheirluggageandledthemtotheCustomsshed,exchangingpleasantrieswithSieske,andthumpeddowntheircasesinfrontofasmallrat-facedmanwhoaskedtheminasurprisinglypleasantvoicewhytheyhadcomeandwhattheyhadbroughtwiththem.HereagainSieskewasuseful;Harrietfoundthatshedidnotneedtoutteraword,althoughshesaid‘Thankyou’politelywhenshewashandedherpassport,andwastakenabackwhentheCustomsOfficerwishedherahappyholiday—inquitebeautifulEnglish.

Thetrainsnakedsilentlythroughgreenmeadowswhereblackandwhitecows,coatedagainstthechillywind,stoodplacidlytowatchthemflashby;therewerefarmsdottedhereandthere,withsteeproofs,andgardensarrangedveryneatlyaroundthem—thevillagesweredominatedbytheirchurches;Harriethadneverseensomanysoaringsteeplesinherlife,nor,forthatmatter,hadsheseensomanyfactories,eachwithitssmallsatelliteofnewhousescloseby.Shedidn’tlikethemverymuchandturnedwithrelieftothecontemplationofacanal,runninglikearulerthroughtheneatcountryside,andcarryingavarietyofpicturesquetraffic.Presentlytheywereservedcoffeeandhamrolls,andthetwogirlssatback,watchingthecountryflashbyunderablue,ratherwateryskystretchingawaytotheflathorizon.InnotimeatalltheywereatRotterdam—Harrietwatchedtheearlymorningcrowdsracingtoworkwithafaintlysmugsympathy.Thethreeweeksofherholidaystretchingaheadofherseemedavery

longtimeindeed.Shewonderedidlywhatshewouldfeellikeonthereturnjourney.OncetheyhadleftRotterdam,thescenerybecamemorerural,thevillageslyingneatlyamongsttheflatmeadows,likecakesarrangedtidilyonaplate—Gouda,evenfromadistance,lookedintriguing—Harrietwishedthattheymighthavestoppedtolookaround,butthetrainwentremorselesslyontoUtrechtandthentoAmersfoort,wheretheyhadtogetoutanywayandchangetrains.Theystoodontheplatformandwatchedtheexpressrushawaytowardsthefrontier,andthenbecausetheyhadhalfanhourtowait,theywentandhadacupofcoffeeandSieskespreadtheincrediblysmallDutchmoneyonthetablebetweenthemandgaveHarrietherfirstlesson.TheylaughedagreatdealandthetimepassedsoquicklythattheyweresurprisedwhenthetrainforLeeuwardenarrivedandtheywerestowedonboardbyakindlyporter,whotossedtheircasesinafterthemandwavedcheerfullyasthetrainpulledout.

Theystillhadatwo-hourjourneybeforethem,Harrietsettledherselfbythewindowoncemore,listeningtoSieske’sunhurriedvoiceandwatchingthesubtlechangingofthecountryside.ItbegantolookveryliketheNewForest,withstretchesofheathandcharminglittlewoods;therewereglimpsesofhousestoo,notlarge,buthavinganairofluxury,eachsetinitsownimmaculategrounds.Presentlythewoodsandheathlandgavewayintheirturntorollinggrassland.Thefarmslookedlargeandprosperous,eventhecowslookedplumplyoutsizeandalthoughtherewereplentyofvillagesandtownstherewasarefreshinglackoffactories.

Sieske’sfatherwaswaitingatLeeuwarden,alarge,verytallmanwiththickgreyhair,aneatmoustacheandanelegantVanDykebeard.Hehadaroundmerryface,buthiseyeswereshrewdbehindthehorn-rimmedglasseshewore.HegreetedSieskewithabear-likehugandaflowofincomprehensiblewords,butasheturnedtoshakeHarriet’shand,shewasrelievedtofindthathisEnglishwasalmostasgoodasherown.

‘Youaremostwelcome,Harriet,’hesaidwarmly.‘Wehopethatyouwillhaveapleasantholidaywithus—andnowwewillgohome;Motheriswaiting—sheismostexcited,butshewouldnotcomewithmebecauseeverythinghastobereadyforyouwhenyouarrive.’

HeledthewayovertoaBMW,andHarrietlookedatitwithanappreciativeeyeastheygotin.ShegazedaroundherastheywentthroughLeeuwarden,glimpsingsmallsidestreetsthatwouldbefuntoexplore.DrVanMinnenseemedtoreadherthoughts,forwithouttakinghiseyesofftheroad,hesaid,‘Youshallcomehere,Harriet,andlookaroundonedaysoon.Thereisagreatdealtoseeaswellasamuseumofwhichweareveryproud.’

Franeker,Sieske’shome,wasonlyashortdistancefromLeeuwarden;inless

thantwentyminutestheywereslowingdownpastalargechurchandturningintothemainstreetofthecharminglittletown.

Thedoctorlivedinalargehouseoverlookingatree-linedcanalwhichranbetweennarrowcobbledstreetslinedwithbuildingsfromanotherera.Notwohouseswerealike,exceptinashareddignityofageandbeauty.Harrietgotoutofthecarandstoodgapingatthevarietyofrooftops.Shewouldhavelikedtohaveaskedaboutthem,butSieskewasalreadyatthegreatwoodendoorwithitsimposingfanlight,andthedoctorcaughtholdofherarmandhurriedherinsidebehindhisdaughter,tobegreetedbyhiswife.MevrouwVanMinnenwasverylikeherdaughterandstillremarkablyyouthful—therewasnohintofgreyinherpaleblondehairandhereyeswereasbrightablueasSieske’s;shewasabigwoman,buttherewasnothingmiddle-agedinherbriskmovements.Thenexthourorsowastakenupmostagreeably,drinkingcoffeeandeatingthecrisplittlebiscuits—sprits—thatwentwithit.TherewasagreatdealofconversationwhichlostnoneofitszestbyreasonofHarriet’slackofDutch,andMevrouwVanMinnen’sscantknowledgeofEnglish.PresentlytheyallwentupstairstoshowHarrietherroom—itoverlookedthestreet,sothatshecouldseethecanalbelow,whichdelightedher;andalthoughitwassmallitwasverycomfortable.Sheunpackedhappily;itwas,shedecided,goingtobeadelightfulholiday.Shedidherhairandherfaceandwentdownstairstojointhefamilyforkoffietafel,andateherbreadandcoldmeatandcheeseandomelettewithahealthyappetitewhichcalledforthdelightedsurprisefromMevrouwVanMinnen,whohadthoughtshehadlookedtoodelicatetodomorethanpeckatherfood.SiesketranslatedthistoHarriet,gigglingagreatdeal,andthensaidinDutchtohermother:

‘Harryisn’tquitewhatshelooks,Moeder.Sheappearstobeafairy,butshe’snotintheleastdelicate;andofcourseitnoticeshere,doesn’tit,becausewe’reallsobig.’

‘Suchaprettygirl,too,’hermothermurmured.‘IwonderwhatAedeandFrisowillsaywhentheyseeher.’

Aedewouldn’tbehomeuntiltheevening,itseemed,andnooneknewwhatFrisowasdoing—hehadtakenthemorningsurgerysothatDrVanMinnencouldgotoLeeuwarden—hehadpresumablygonetohisownhome.Theywouldseehimlater,saidMevrouwVanMinnencomfortably,andsuggestedthatthetwogirlswentoutforawalksothatHarrietcouldseesomethingofthetown.

Anhourlater,thetwoofthemwerestrollingalonglookingintheshopwindowswhileSieskecarefullyexplainedtheprices.TheyhadreachedaparticularlyinterestingdisplayofclocksandjewellerywhenSieskesuddenlyexclaimed,‘Iforgot,IhavetobuystampsforFather—thepostofficeisinthe

nextstreet.Waithere,Harry—youcanpractiseyourDutchinthiswindow—Iwon’tbeaminute.’

Harrietlookedherfill,andthenbecauseSieskestillhadn’tcomeback,wenttotheedgeofthepavementandlookedupanddownthestreet.Itwassurprisinglybusyforasmalltown,withaconstantthinstreamoftraffic.Shewasstandingonthecorneroutsidethebeautifultownhallandshewatchedidlyasthevariousbusesandlorrieshaltedbyher;thecarsweremostlysmall,sothatwhenanAC428Fastbackpulledupitcaughtherattentionimmediately.Therewasagirlsittinginthefrontbythedriver—agirlsodarkthatitwasimpossiblenottonoticeheramongstthefair-hairedgiantsaroundthetown,thoughtHarriet;shewasquitebeautifultoo.SheturnedherheadandstaredatHarrietwithgreatblackeyeswhichbarelynoticedher.Shelookedcross,andHarriet,withthatextraordinaryfeelingthatinsomeoneelse’scountryyoucandothingsyouwouldn’tdoinyourown,staredbackopenlybeforetransferringhergazetothedriver.Hewaslookingaheadandshestudiedhisprofileatherleisure;itwasahandsomeone,withadomineeringnoseandafirmchin;hisforeheadwashighandwideandhisveryfairhairwasbrushedsmoothlybackfromit.Lookingathim,shehadthesuddendeepconvictionthattheyhadmetbefore;herheartstartedtorace,shewishedwithallherheartthathewouldturnandlookather.Asthoughshehadshoutedherwishoutloudathim,heturnedhisheadandshefoundherselfgazingintolevelgreyeyes.Itseemedtoherthatshehadknownhim—acompletestranger—allherlife;shesmiledwiththesuddendelightofit,wonderingifhefeltthesamewaytoo.Apparentlyhedidnot;therewasnoexpressiononhisfaceatall,andshewentslowlypinkunderhiscoolstare.Thetrafficaheadofhimsorteditselfout,andhewasgone,leavinghergazingsadlyafterhim;themanwhohadbeeninherthoughtsforsomanyyears;thereasonforherbeingmorethanfriendswiththemenshehadmet.Hehadbeenherdream;butdreamsdidn’tlast.Agoodthingperhaps,asquiteobviouslyshehadnopartinhis;indeed,hehadlookedatherasthoughshehadbeenalamp-post.

Sieskecamebackthen,andsaid,‘Harry,whatisit?Youlookasthoughyou’veseenaghost.’

Harrietturnedtowalkbesideherfriend.‘No,notaghost.’Shesoobviouslydidn’twanttosayanymorethatSieskebitoffthequestionsshewasgoingtoask,andstartedtotalkaboutsomethingquitedifferent.

Aedearrivedaftertea—whichwasn’tamealatall,Harrietdiscovered,justacupofteawithnomilkandaplateofdelicatelittlebiscuits.Hewaslikehisfather,tallandbroad,andlookedyoungerthanhistwenty-fiveyears.HehadjustqualifiedasadoctorandwasatthehospitalatLeeuwardenworkingasahouseman,anditwouldbeatleastanothersixmonthsbeforehestartedto

specialize;eventually,ofcourse,hewouldjoinhisfather’spractice.HetoldHarriettheseinterestingfactsinfluentEnglish,sittingbesideheronthecomfortablesofanearthestove.Hedrankthedecidedlycoolteawithoutapparentlymindingintheleast,andconsumedtheremainderofthebiscuits.Harrietlikedhim;hewasn’tasplacidasSieske,buthewasobviouslygood-naturedandanexcellentcompanion.Theysataroundhappilytalkingshopuntilalmostsuppertime,whileMevrouwVanMinnen,lookingalmostasyoungasherdaughter,satinastraight-backedchairbyherworktable,knittingasockatspeedandmanagingtotakealion’sshareinthetalkdespitethefactthateverythinghadtobesaidtwiceinbothlanguages.

Theysatdowntotheeveningmealsoonafterseven,withagreatdealoflaughingandtalking.DrVanMinnen,whohaddisappearedsoonafterteatotakehiseveningsurgery,camebackintimetodispenseanexcellentsherryfromabeautifuldecanterintocrystalglasses.

‘Where’sFriso?’inquiredhiswife.‘Hehasn’tcalledtoseeSieske.’Thedoctoransweredherandthenrepeatedhiswords,thistimeinEnglish

forHarriet’sbenefit.‘MypartnerhashadtogotoDongjum,asmallvillageafewmilesfromthistown—anextendedbreech,sohe’slikelytobetheremostofthenight.’

Harrietfeltapangofpityforthepoorman—shehadbeentoldthathedidn’tliveinFraneker,butinanearbyvillageclosetothesea;helookedaftertheruralsideofthepracticewhileDrVanMinnenattendedhispatientsinFraneker.

‘IsDrEijsinck’sshareofthepracticealargeone?’sheaskedAede.‘Hemel,yes—andveryscattered,buthe’sagluttonforwork.’AndHarrietaddedaharassedexpressionandapermanentstooptothe

stainedwaistcoat,andthenforgotallabouthimintheexcitementofdiscussingSieske’sandWierd’sengagementparty,whentheirforthcomingmarriagewouldbeannounced.Itwastobeasplendidaffair,withtheburgemeesterandthedomineeandvariouscolleaguesofthedoctorcoming,aswellasagreatmanyyoungpeople.Itwasfortunatethatthesitting-roomandthedrawing-roomwereconnectedbyfoldingdoors,whichcouldbepushedback,makingoneroom.Harrietsatback,listeningquietlyandwonderingwhichofhertwopartydressesshehadhadtheforethoughttobringwithhersheshouldwear.EverynowandthenshethoughtaboutthemanintheAC428Fastback.

Thefollowingmorningafterbreakfast,Harriettookthepostalongtothedoctorinhissurgery.Shehadn’tbeenthereyet,butshehadbeentoldtheway.Shewentdownthelongnarrowpassageleadingtothebackofthehouseandthroughthelittledoorinthewalloppositethekitchen.Shecouldhearamurmurofsound—shufflingfeet,coughsandababycrying,assheknockedonthe

surgerydoor.Thedoctorwasalone,searchingthroughafilingcabinetwithconcentratedfierceness.Hisvoicewasmildenough,however,asheremarked.

‘MevrouwVanHoeve’scardisheresomewhere—thepoorwomanisinthewaitingroom,buthowcanIgiveheraninjectionuntilIcheckhernotes?’

Harrietputthepostdownonthedesk.Itseemedthatdoctorswereallthesametheworldover.

‘I’vebroughtyourpost,’shesaidsoothingly.‘Ifyou’llspellthenametomeI’lllookforthecardwhileyouseeifthere’sanythingimportant…’

DrVanMinnengaveheragratefullook.‘Idohaveanassistant,’heexplained,‘butshe’sonholiday.’

Hesatdownwitharelievedsighandpickedupthefirstofhisletters,andHarrietstartedtogothroughthefilingcabinet.MevrouwVanHoevewashalf-waythroughtheseconddrawer,filedawayunderP-S;nowondershecouldn’tbefound.Harriettookitoutandturnedroundintriumphtofindthatthedoorhadopenedandamanhadcomein;hespokebrieflytoDrVanMinnenandstoodstaringatherwiththesamecoolgreyeyesthatshehadbeentryingsohardtoforget.Shestoodstaringbackathiminherturn,clutchingthefoldertoher;herprettymouthagape,whilethebrightcolourfloodedherface.

DrVanMinnenglancedupbrieflyfromhisdesk.‘Harriet,thisismypartner,FrisoEijsinck.’

TheFrisoshehadimagineddisintegrated.Thiselegantwaistcoathadneverborneasoupstaininitswell-cared-forlife;indeed,thewholeappearanceofitswearerwasoneofawell-dressedmanabouttown.Therewasnosignofastoopeither;hewasagiantamongthegiantlikepeoplearoundherandheworehisgreatheightwithacarelessarrogance;andasfortheharassedexpression—shetriedherbesttoimaginehimpresentinganythingbutacalm,controlledfacetotheworld,andfailedutterly.

Shesaid,‘Howdoyoudo,Doctor,’inavoicewhichwouldhavedonecredittooneofMissAusten’syoungladies,andthistimeshedidn’tsmile.

Hisown,‘Howdoyoudo,MissSlocombe,’wasutteredinadeep,ratherslowvoicewithafaintimpatienceinitstones.Therewasapause,duringwhichsherealizedthathewaswaitingforhertogo.Sheclosedthefilingcabinetcarefully,smiledatDrVanMinnen,andwalkedwithouthastetothedoorwhichhewasholdingopenforher,andpassedhimwithnomorethanabriefglance,herheadveryhigh.Toherchagrinhewasn’tevenlookingather.Outside,withthedoorclosedgentlybehindher,shestoppedandreviewedthebrief,disappointingmeeting.Shedoubtedifhehadlookedather—nottoseeher,atanyrate;hehadmadeherfeelintheway,andawkward,andthiswithoutsayinganythingatall.Shewalkedonslowly;perhapshehatedtheEnglish,or,she

amendedhonestly,hedidn’tlikeher.Sieskewascallingherfromthetopofthehouseandshewentupstairsand

putonherclovepinkraincoatandtuggeditsmatchinghatontoherbrighthair,thenwentshoppingwithSieskeandhermother.

Wierdwascomingthatevening.HarrietspenttheafternoonsettingSieske’shair,andaftertheirteacombeditoutandarrangeditforher,thenstoodbacktoadmireherhandiwork.Whatwithaprettyhair-doandtheprospectofseeingWierdagain,Sieskelookedlikealargeandaverygood-lookingangel.

Therewasnoeveningsurgerythatday;theyweretomeetinthedrawing-roomfordrinksatsix-thirty.Harrietwentupstairstochangeherdresswonderingwhatshewasgoingtodountilthattime.ShesuspectedthatthearrangementhadbeenmadesothatSieskeandheryoungmanwouldhavesometimetothemselvesbeforethefamilyassembled.Shewasjustputtingthelastpinintoherhairwhentherewasaknockonthedoor,andwhenshecalled‘Comein’,Aedeputhisinquiringheadintotheroom.

‘Harriet?Areyouready?Iwonderedifyouwouldliketoputonacoatandcomeforaquickruninthecar—there’sheapsoftime.’

Shehadalreadycaughtupthepinkraincoat;itwasn’traininganymore,butitlayhandyonachairandsheputiton,saying,

‘I’dloveto,Aede.Butdowetellsomeone?’Theyweregoingdownstairs.‘ItoldMoeder,’hesaid.‘Shethoughtitwasa

jollygoodidea.’Hiscarwasoutside—aVolkswagenandratherbattered.Harrietgotin,

remarkingknowledgeablythatitwasagoodcarandhowlonghadhehadit.ThisremarktriggeredoffaconversationwhichlastedthemoutofFranekerandseveralmilesalongthemainroad.Whenheturnedoff,however,sheasked,‘Wherearewegoing?’

‘Justroundthecountrysothatyoucanseewhatitislike,’Aedereplied,andturnedthecarintoastillsmallerroad.Thecountrylookedgreenandpleasantinthespringeveninglight.Thefarmsstoodwellapartfromeachother,eachjoinedtoitsownhugebarnbyanarrowcorridoratitsback.Theylookedsecureandprosperousandverydifferentfromthemorepicturesque,lesscompactEnglishfarms.TheypassedthroughseveralsmallvillageswithunpronounceablenamesintheFrieslanguage,thencircledbackandcrossedthemainroadagainsothattheyweregoingtowardsthecoast.Ontheoutskirtsofonevillagetherewasalargehouse,withanimportantfrontdoorandneatwindowsacrossitsface.Ithadacurvedgabledroofandalargegardenalivewithdaffodilsandtulipsandhyacinths.Harrietcriedoutindelight,‘Oh,Aede,stop—pleasestop!Isimplymuststare.Willanyonemind?’

Hepulledupobliginglyandgrinned.‘No,ofcoursenot.Itisratherlovely,isn’tit?’

‘Andthehouse,’shebreathed,‘that’slovelytoo.Howoldisit?Wholivesthere?’

‘About1760,Ithink,butyoucanaskFrisonexttimeyouseehim;it’shis.’Harrietturnedanastonishedfacetohercompanion.‘YoumeanDrEijsinck?

Helivesthere?Allbyhimself?’Aedestartedthecaragain.Henodded.‘Yes,thatis,ifyoudon’tcounta

gardenerandacookandavaletandahousemaidortwo.He’sgotagreatdealofmoney,youknow;hedoesn’tneedtobeadoctor,buthisworkistheloveofhislife.Thatdoesn’tmeantosaythathedoesn’tlovegirlstoo,’headdedonalaugh.

‘Whydoesn’themarry,then?’ShewaitedforAede’sanswer.PerhapsFrisowasengagedoratleastinlove;whataboutthatdarkgirlinhiscar?

Aedethoughtforamoment.‘Idon’tknow,’hesaidslowly.‘Iaskedhimonce—oh,alongtimeago,andhesaidhewaswaitingforthegirl.’Heshruggedhiswideshoulders.‘Itdidn’tmakemuchsense…’Hebrokeoff.‘Here’sFranekeragain;we’reabitlate,butIdon’tsupposeitwillmatter.’

Harrietsmiledathim.‘Itwaslovely,Aede.Ienjoyedeveryminuteofit.’Hebroughtthecartoaratherabrupthaltinfrontofthehouseandtheyboth

wentinside.‘I’llbedowninaminute,’saidHarriet,andflewupstairs,tothrowdownher

raincoat,lookhastilyatherselfinthemirrorandthenracedownstairsagain.AlmostatthebottomofthestaircaseshecheckedherselfabruptlyandcontinueddowntothehallwithstepsassedateasthevoicewithwhichshegreetedDrEijsinck,whomshehadobservedatthatverymomentstandingthere.Disconcertinglyhedidn’tanswer,andshestoodlookingupathim—hewasinherway,buthissizeprecludedherfrompassinghimunlessshepushedby.Itseemedalongtimebeforehesaidreluctantly,

‘Yousmiled.Why?’Hegaveherahard,nottoofriendlystare.‘Youdidn’tknowme.’

Sohehadseenherafterall.Harrietfeltherheartthuddingandignoredit.Shesaidinasteadyvoice,

‘No,Ididn’tknowwhoyouwere,DrEijsinck.Itwasjust…IthoughtthatIrecognizedyou.’Whichwas,shethought,perfectlytrue,althoughshecouldhardlyexplaintohimthatshehaddreamedabouthimsooftenthatshecouldn’thelpbutrecognizehim.

Henodded,andsaid,tosurpriseher,‘Yes,Ithoughtperhapsitwasthat.Ithappenstousall,Isuppose,thatonceortwiceinalifetimewemeetsomeone

whoshouldbeastranger,andisnot.’Shelongedtoaskhimwhathemeantanddarednot,andinsteadsaidina

stiff,conversationalvoice,‘WhatexcellentEnglishyouspeak,Doctor,’andcametoahaltatthe

amusedlookonhisface.Andtherewasamusementinhisvoicewhenheanswered.

‘Howverykindofyoutosayso,MissSlocombe.’Shelookeddownathershoes,sothatherthickbrownlashescurledontoher

cheeks.Hewasmakingherfeelawkwardagain.Sheswallowedandtriedoncemore.

‘Shouldwegointothedrawing-room,doyouthink?’Hestoodasidewithoutfurtherpreamble,andfollowedherintotheroom

whereshewasinstantlypounceduponbySieskesothatshecouldmeetWierdandseeforherselfthathewaseverythingthatherfriendhadsaid.Hewasindeedcharming,andexactlyrightforSieske.Theymadeahandsomecoupleandahappyonetoo.Harrietsuppressedasmallpangofenvy;itmustbenicetobelovedasWierdsoobviouslylovedSieske.ShedrankthesherryAedebroughtherandsatnexttohimduringthemealwhichfollowedandjoinedinthelaughterandtalk,whichwaswhollyconcernedwiththeengagementparty.Itwasdiscussedthroughtheexcellentsoup,therolpensmetrodekool,thepoffertjes—deliciousmorselsofdoughfriedinbuttertoanunbelievablelightness—andwasonlyexhaustedwhenanenormousbowloffruitwasputonthetable.HarrietsatquietlywhileAedepeeledapeachforher,andlistenedtoDrEijsinck’sdeepvoice—hewasdiscussingrosegraftingwithherhostess,whoturnedtoherandsaidkindly,butinherownlanguage,

‘Harry,youmustgoandseeFriso’sgarden,itissuchabeautifulone.’AederepeatedherwordsinEnglish,andthenwentoninthesamelanguage.‘Wewentpastyourplacethisevening,Friso.ItookHarrietforarunandwe

stoppedwhilesheadmiredyourflowers.’Harrietlookedacrossthetableathimthenandsmiled,andwaspuzzledto

seehismobilemouthpulleddownatthecornersbyacynicalsmile,justasthoughhedidn’tintheleastbelievethatshehadarealfondnessforflowersandgardens.Whenhesaidcarelessly,‘Byallmeanscomeandlookround,MissSlocombe,’sheknewthathehadgiventheinvitationbecausetherewasnothingelsehecoulddo.Shethankedhimquietly,gavehimacoolglance,andoccupiedherselfwithherpeach.Shetookcaretoavoidhimfortherestoftheevening,aneasymatterasitturnedout,forDrVanMinnenhaddiscoveredthatshehadonlythesketchiestknowledgeofFriesland’shistory,andsethimselftorectifythisgapinhereducation.ItwasonlyattheendoftheeveningthatDrEijsinckspoke

toheragainandthatwastowishhergoodnight,andthatamostcasualone.Later,inherpleasantlittleroom,shesatbrushingherhairandthinkingabout

theevening.Somethinghadgonewrongwithherdream.Ithadseemedthatkindlyfatehadintervenedwhenshehadmethimagain,butnowshewasn’tsosure,forthatsameficklefatewasshowingherthatdreamshadnoplaceinherworkadayworld.Harrietgroundherevenlittleteeth—eventhoughhehadadozenbeautifulgirl-friends,hecouldatleastpretendtolikeher.Onreflection,though,shedidn’tthinkthathewouldbothertopretendaboutanything.Shegotintobedandturnedoutthelightandlayinthecomfortabledarkness,wonderingwhenshewouldseehimagain.

CHAPTERTHREE

SHEAWOKEEARLYtoasparklingAprilmorningandthesoundofchurchbells,andlaybetweensleepingandwakinglisteningtothemuntilSieskecamein,tositontheendofthebedandtalkhappilyaboutthepreviousevening.

‘Youenjoyedittoo,Harry?’sheaskedanxiously.Harrietsatupinbed—shewaswearingapinknightgown,afrivolous

garment,alllaceandribbons.Herhairfell,straightandgoldandshining,almosttoherwaist;shelookeddelightful.

‘Itwaslovely,’shesaidwarmly.‘IthinkyourWierdisadear—you’regoingtobeveryhappy.’

Sieskeblushed.‘Yes,Iknow.YoulikeAede?’Harrietnodded.‘Oh,yes.He’sjustlikeyou,Sieske.’‘AndFriso?’Harrietsaidlightly,‘Well,weonlysaidhulloandgoodbye,youknow.He’s

notquitewhatIexpected.’Sheexplainedaboutthegravystainsandthepermanentstoop,andSieskegiggled.

‘Harry,howcouldyou,andheissohandsome,don’tyouthink?’Harrietsaid‘Very,’withamagnificentnonchalance.‘Andsoveryrich,’Sieskewenton.‘SoIheard,’saidHarriet,maintainingthenonchalance.‘Howniceforhim.’Sieskecurledherlegsupunderherandsettledherselfmorecomfortably.

‘Alsoniceforhiswife,’sheremarked.Harrietfeltasuddenchill.‘Oh?Ishegoingtomarry,then?’sheasked,and

wonderedwhytheanswermatteredsomuch.Sieskelaughed.‘Well,hewilloneday,Iexpect,butIthinkheenjoysbeinga…vrijgezel.I

don’tknowtheEnglish—itisamanwhoisnotyetmarried.’‘Bachelor,’saidHarriet.‘Yes—well,hehasmanygirl-friends,yousee,buthedoesnotloveanyof

them.’‘Howdoyouknowthat?’askedHarrietinadeceptivelycalmvoice.‘Iaskedhim,’saidSieskesimply,‘andhetoldme.Ishouldlikehimtobe

happyasWierdishappy;andIwouldlikeyoutobehappytoo,Harry,’sheaddeddisarmingly.

Harrietfeltherselfgettingredintheface.‘ButIamhappy,’shecried.‘I’vegotwhatIwanted,haven’tI?Asister’spost,and—and—’Thethoughtstruckherthatprobablyintwentyyears’timeshewouldstillhavethatsamesister’spost.Sheshuddered.‘I’llgetup,’shesaid,brisklycheerfultodispelthegloomythought.Butthisshewasn’tallowedtodo;thefamily,itseemed,weregoingtochurchatnineo’clock,andhaddecidedthattheunfamiliarserviceandthelongsermonwouldn’tbeoftheleastbenefittoher.Shewastostayinbedandgodowntobreakfastwhenshefeltlikeit.

Sieskegotupfromthebedandstretchedherself.‘Wearebacksoonafterten,andWierdcomestolunch.Wewillplansomethingnicetodo.’Sheturnedroundasshereachedthedoor.‘Gotosleepagain,Harry.’

Harriet,however,hadnodesireforsleep.Shelaystaringattherosesonthewallpaper,contemplatingherfuturewithacompletelackofenthusiasm,andwassuddenlystruckbythefactthatthiswasentirelyduetotheknowledgethatDrEijsinckwouldhavenopartofit.ThefrontdoorbangedandshegotoutofbedtowatchtheVanMinnenfamilymaketheirwaydownthestreettowardschurch,gladoftheinterruptionofthoughtsshedidn’tcaretothink.Itwasn’tquitenineo’clock;sheslippedonthenightgown’smatchingpeignoirandtheratherridiculousslipperswhichwentwithit,andmadeherwaydownstairsthroughthequietoldhousetothedining-room.

Someonehadthoughtfullydrawnasmalltableuptothesoftwarmthofthestoveandlaiditwithcare,forcup,saucerandplateofabrightbrownearthenware,flankedbybutterinaDelftbluedish,stoodinvitinglyready.Therewascoffeetoo,andasmallbasketfullofanassortmentofbread,andgroupedtogether,jamandsausageandcheese.Harrietpouredcoffee,butteredacrustysliceofbreadwithalavishhandandtookalargesatisfyingbite.Shehadliftedhercoffeecuphalf-waytoherlipswhenthedooropened.

‘Where’severybody?’askedDrEijsinck,withoutbotheringtosaygoodmorning.‘Church?’

Harrietputdownhercup.‘Yes,’shesaid,withhermouthfull.Hisglanceflickeredoverherandshewentpinkunderit.

‘Areyouill?’heaskedpolitely,althoughhislookdeniedhiswords.‘Me?Ill?No.’Ifhechosetothinkofherasauselesslazycreature,she

thoughtfuriously,sheforonewouldnotenlightenhim.‘Well,ifyou’renotill,you’dbettercometothesurgeryandholddowna

bratwithabeaduphisnose.’‘Certainly,’saidHarriet,‘sinceyouaskmesonicely;butImustdressfirst.’

‘Why?There’snoonearoundwho’sinterestedinseeingyoulikethat.Thechild’saboutthree;hismother’sinthewaitingroombecauseshe’stoofrightenedtoholdhimherself;andasforme,IassureyouthatIamquiteunaffected.’

Shedidn’tlikethenoteofmockery—hewasbeingdeliberatelytiresome!Sheputhercupbackinitssaucer,gotupwithoutawordandfollowedhimdownthepassagetothesurgerywhereshewaitedwhilehefetchedthechildfromitsmother.Shetookthelittleboyincapablearmsandsaid,‘There,there,’inthesoft,kindvoicesheusedtoanyoneillorafraid.Hesniffedandgulped,andunderherapproving,‘There’sabigman,then!’subsidedintoquietnesspunctuatedbyheavingbreaths,sothatshewasabletolayhimontheexaminationtablewithoutfurtherado,andsteadyhisroundheadbetweenhersmallfirmhands.DrEijsinck,standingwithspeculum,probeandcurvedforcepsreadytohand,gruntedsomethingshecouldn’tunderstandandswitchedonhisheadlamp.

‘Willyoubeabletoholdhimwithonearm?’sheaskedmatter-of-factly.Helookedasthoughhewasgoingtolaugh,buthisvoicewasmildenough

ashereplied.‘IbelieveIcanmanage,MissSlocombe.He’squitesmall,andmyarmis—er—largeenoughtosuffice.’

Hesprayedthetinynostrilcarefullyandgottowork,hisbighandmanipulatingtheinstrumentswithasurprisingdelicacy.Whileheworkedhetalkedsoftlytohissmallpatient;ameaninglessjumbleofwordsHarrietcouldmakenothingof.

‘AreyouspeakingFries?’shewantedtoknow.Hedidn’tlookup.‘Yes…Idon’tmeantoberude,butAtseheredoesn’t

understandanythingelseatpresent.’HewithdrewabrightbluebeadfromthesmallnoseandAtseatonceburstintotearfulroars,thewhilehisfacewasmoppedup.Harrietscoopedhimupintoherarms.

‘Sillyboy,it’sallover.’Shegavehimahugandhestoppedhissobbingtolookatherandsaysomething.Shereturnedhislookinherturn.‘It’snogood,Atse,Ican’tunderstand.’

DrEijsincklookedupfromthesinkwherehewaswashinghishands.‘Allowmetotranslate.Heisobserving—asIdaresaymanyothermembers

ofhissexhavedonebeforehim—thatyouandyour—er—dressareverybeautiful.’

Harrietfelthercheeksgrowhot,butsheansweredinacomposedvoice,‘Whatalovelycompliment—somethingtorememberwhenIgethome.’

Thedoctorhadcometostandclosetoherandshehandedhimthelittleboy.‘Good-bye,Atse,IhopeIseeyouagain.’Sheshookthefatlittlehand,

straightenedtheexaminationtable,thumpedupitspillowwithafewbriskmovements,andmadeforthedoor.ShehadopeneditbeforeDrEijsincksaidquietly,‘Thankyouforyourhelp,MissSlocombe.’

‘Don’tmentionit,’shesaidairily,asshewentthrough.Thebreakfasttablestilllookedveryattractive;shepluggedinthecoffeepot

andtookanotherbitefromherbreadandbutter.Shewasspreadingasecondslicewithagenerouswaferofcheesewhenthedooropenedagain.DrEijsincksaidfromthedoorway,‘I’msorryIdisturbedyourbreakfast.’Andthen,‘Isthecoffeehot?’

Shewipedafewcrumbsawayfromhermouth,usingafinger.‘Don’tapologize,Doctor…andyes,thankyou,thecoffeeishot.’Therewasapauseduringwhichsherememberedhowunpleasanthehad

been.Thelookshecasthimwasundoubtedlyareflectionofherthoughts,forhegaveasuddenquizzicalsmile,saidgood-byeabruptly,andwent.

Theywerehavingmorningcoffeewhenhearrivedforthesecondtime.HetookthecupMevrouwVanMinnenhandedhimandsatdownunhurriedly;itseemedtoHarriet,sittingbythewindowwithSieske,thathewasverymuchoneofthefamily.HewasansweringagreatnumberofquestionswhichDrVanMinnenwasputtingtohim,andHarrietthoughtwhatapityitwasshecouldn’tunderstandDutch.Sieskemusthavereadherthoughts,forshecalledacrosstheroom.

‘Friso,wereyoucalledout?’andshespokeinEnglish.Herepliedinthesametongue.‘Yes,formysins…animpactedfractured

femurandprematuretwins.’SieskesaidquicklywithasidewayslookatHarriet,‘Don’tforgetAtse.

Weren’tyougladthatHarrywasheretohelpyou?’‘Delighted,’hesaidinadryvoice,‘andsowasAtse.’Harriet,studyinghercoffeecupwithadownbenthead,wasnonetheless

awarethathewaslookingather.‘Soyoudidn’tgettobedatall?’askedAede.‘Er—no.IwasonmywayhomewhenIencounteredAtseandhismother;I

wasnearerherethanmyownplace—itseemedlogicaltobringthemwithme.I’dforgottenthatyouwouldallbeinchurch.’

Harrietabandonedtheclosescrutinyofhercoffeecup.Sohehadbeenupallnight;beingareasonableyoungwomansheunderstoodhowhemusthavefeltwhenhefoundher.Andthecoffee—hehadaskedifitwashotandshehadn’tevenaskedhimifhewantedacup.Howmeanofher—sheopenedhermouthtosayso,caughthiseyeandknewthathehadguessedherintention.Beforeshecouldspeak,hewentonsmoothly,

‘Iamindebtedto—er—Harrietforherhelp;verycompetenthelptoo.’MevrouwVanMinnensaidsomething,Harriethadnoideawhatuntilshe

heardthewordkoffie.Sheopenedhermouthoncemore,feelingguilty,buthewasspeakingbeforeshecouldgetawordout.

‘WhatisDrEijsincksaying,Sieske?’shesaidsoftly.Herfriendgaveasympatheticgiggle.‘PoorHarry,notunderstandinga

word!He’sexplainingthathecouldn’tstayforthecoffeeyouhadreadyforhimbecausehehadtogostraightbacktothetwins.’

HarriethadonlybeeninHollandashorttime,butalreadyshehadrealizedthathospitalitywasabuilt-infeatureoftheDutchcharacter—todenyittoanyonewasunthinkable.MevrouwVanMinnenwouldhavebeenupset.Frisowasbeingmagnanimous.Theleastshecoulddowastoapologizeandthankhimforhisthoughtfulness.

Hegotupafewminuteslaterandstrolledtothedoorwithacasualpartingwordwhichembracedthewholecompany.Shewastooshytogetuptooandfollowhimout—itmightbedaysbeforeshesawhimagain.HehadbangedthefrontdoorbehindhimwhenSieskesaidurgently,

‘There,IforgottotellFrisoabouttheflowersforWednesday!Harry,you’resomuchfasterthanI—runafterhim,willyou?Tellhimit’sallright.He’llunderstand.’

Harrietreachedthepavementjustashewasgettingintothecar.Hestraightenedwhenhesawher,andstoodwaiting,hishandstillonthecardoor.

Shesaid,short-breathed,‘Sieskeaskedmetogiveyouamessage.Thatit’sallrightabouttheflowers,andthatyouwouldunderstand.’

Shestoodlookingathimandafteramomenthegaveaglimmerofasmileandsaid,‘Oh,yes.Ofcourse.Thanksforremindingme.’

‘Iwantedto—ItwasluckySieskeaskedme.I’msosorryaboutthismorning—youknow,thecoffee.Itwasmeanofme.Idon’tknowwhyIdidit.’Shestoppedandfrowned,‘Yes,Ido.Youweren’tveryniceaboutmebeinginadressing-gown,butofcourseIunderstandnow,youmusthavebeenverytiredifyouwereupallnight—Idaresayyouwouldn’thavemindedsomuchifyouhadhadagoodnight’ssleep,’shefinishedingenuously.

‘No,Idon’tsupposeIshould,’heagreedgravely.Hegotintothecar,saidgood-byeratherabruptly,andwasgone,leavingherstilluncertainastowhetherhedislikedherornot.Itsuddenlymatteredverymuchthatsheshouldknow,onewayortheother.

Theywereimmersedinplanswhenshegotbacktothesitting-room.Wierdwascomingtoluncheon,reiteratedSieske;theywouldgoforadrive,sheandWierdandHarrietandAede.Dokkum,theydecided,withaneyeonHarriet’s

ignoranceofthecountryside,andthenontothecoasttoOostmahorn,whentheboatsailedforthesmallislandofSchiermonnikoog.

Theysetoutabouttwoo’clock,WierdandSieskeleadingtheway.Itwasgloriousweather,althoughtheblueskywasstillpaleandthewindkeen.Harrietinathicktweedsuitandaheadscarfhopedshewouldbewarmenough;theothersseemedtotakethewindforgranted,butshehadn’tgotusedtoit.Itwaswarmenoughinthecar,however,andAedeprovedtobeanexcellentguide.BythetimetheyhadreachedDokkum,shehadmasteredagreatdealofFriesianhistoryandhadevenlearnt—afterafashion—theFriesianNationalAnthem,althoughshethoughtthetranslation,‘Friesianblood,riseupandboil,’couldbeimprovedupon.Theotherswerewaitingfortheminthelittletown,andshewastakenatoncetoseethechurchofStBonifaceandthentheoutsideoftheTownHall,withapromisethatsheshouldbebroughtagainsothatshecouldseeitsbeautiful,paintedcouncilroom.

Thecoast,whentheyreachedit,wasasurpriseandacontrast.HarrietfounditdifficulttoreconcilethesleepylittletowntheyhadjustleftwiththeflatshoresprotectedfromtheseabythedykesbuiltsopatientlybytheFriesiansoverthecenturies.Landwasstillbeingreclaimed,too.Shelookedattheexpanseofmud,andtriedtoimaginepeoplelivingonitinadecadeoftime;shefounditmuchmoretoherlikingtothinkofthepeoplewhohadlivedinDokkumhundredsofyearsago,andhadgonetotheself-samechurchthatshehadjustvisited.SheexplainedthistoAede,wholistenedcarefully.

‘Yes,’hesaidslowly,‘butifwehadnodykestherewouldbenoDokkum.’Whichwasunanswerable.Theyturnedforhomesoonafterwardsandtowardstheendofthejourney,Aedesaid,‘Here’sFriso’svillage—hishouseisontheleft.’Theywereapproachingitfromtheothersideatananglewhichallowedhertocatchaglimpseofthebackofthehouse.Itlookedbiggersomehow,perhapsbecauseoftheverandahstretchingacrossitsbreadth.Therewerestepsfromitleadingdowntothegarden,whichshesawwasagreatdeallargerthanshehadsupposed.Shepeeredthroughthehighironrailing,buttherewasnoonetosee.Hemustbelonely,shethought,livingthereallbyhimself.Theroadcurved,andtheypassedtheentrance.Atthemoment,atanyrate,hewasn’tlonely—thereweretwocarsparkedbythedoor.Aedewasgoingratherfast,sothatshehadonlyaglimpse;butwiththreecar-crazybrothers,herknowledgeofcarswassoundanduptodate.OnewasaLotusElan,theotheraMarcos.ItseemedthatDrEijsinck’sfriendslikedspeed.Harrietthoughtdarklyofthebeautifulbrunette;shewouldlookjustrightbehindthewheeloftheLotus…HerthoughtswereinterruptedbyAede.

‘Friso’sgotvisitors…Thatman’scastiron;heworksfortwomostofthe

time,andwhenhe’snotworkinghe’sofftoUtrechtorAmsterdamorDenHaag.Evenifhestayshome,therearealwayspeoplecalling.’

HarrietwatchedtheFrisoofherdreamsfade—theFrisowhowouldhavelovedherforalways;happytobewithherandnooneelse—butthisfleshandbloodFrisodidn’tneedheratall.Shewentalittlepink,rememberinghowshehadsmiledathimwhenshehadseenhimforthefirsttime;hemusthavethoughthowsillyshewas,orworse,howcheap.Thepinkturnedtored;shehadbeenafool.SheresolvedthenandtheretostopdreaminganddemonstratedherresolutionbyturningtoAedeandaskingintelligentquestionsaboutthereclamationofland.Harrietlistenedwithgreatattentiontotheanswers,nothearingthematall,butthinkingaboutFrisoEijsinck.

Atbreakfastthefollowingmorning,HarrietlearnedthatSieske’stwosisterswouldbereturningintimefortea.TheyhadbeenvisitingtheirgrandparentsinSneek,butnowtheEasterholidayswereoverandtheywouldbegoingbacktohighschool.Aedehadgonebacktohospitalthepreviousevening;DrVanMinnenhadanunexpectedappointmentthatafternoon;thequestionastowhoshouldfetchthemwasdebatedovertherollsandcoffee.Sieskesupposedshecouldgo,buttherewasthepartytoarrange.

Herfathergottohisfeet.‘I’lltelephoneFriso,’hesaid,‘he’sgotnoafternoonsurgery,I’mcertain.He’llgo,andthegirlssimplylovethatcarofhis.’

Hedisappearedinthedirectionofhissurgery,leavinghiswifeandSieske,withHarrietasawillinglistener,toplungeintothefinaldetailsconcerningtheparty.Thisfascinatingdiscussionnaturallyledthethreeladiesupstairstolookateachother’sdressesfortheoccasion;SieskehadbroughtadressbackfromEngland—theblueofitmatchedhereyes;itsstraightclassicallinesmadeherlooklikeagolden-hairedgoddess.TheyadmireditatsomelengthbeforerepairingtoMevrouwVanMinnen’sbedroomtowatchapprovinglywhilesheheldupthehandsomeblackcrepegownshehadboughtinLeeuwarden.Evidentlythepartywastobeanoccasionfordressingup;Harrietwasgladthatshehadpackedthelongwhitesilkdressshehadboughtinafitofextravaganceamonthorsopreviously.Ithadalacebodice,square-neckedandshort-sleeved,witharichsatinribbondefiningthehighwaistline.ItwouldprovideagoodfoilforSieske’sdresswithoutstealinganyofitslimelight.ShecouldseefromMevrouwVanMinnen’ssatisfiednodthatshethoughtsotoo.Theyallwentdownstairs,satisfiedthattheyhadalreadydoneagreatdealtowardsmakingSieske’seveningasuccess,andovercupsofcoffeethemenuforthebuffetsupperwasfinallychecked,for,saidMevrouwVanMinneninsudden,surprisingEnglish,

‘Wearebeautifulladies…butmeneattoo.’Shelaughedathereffortsand

lookedasyoungandprettyasherdaughter.‘Willitbeblackties?’Harrietwantedtoknow.Sieskenodded.‘Ofcourse.WecallitSmoking—theirclothes,Imean.’Harrietgiggled.‘Howfunny,thoughtheylooknicewhateveryoucallit.’

FrisoEijsinck,forinstance,wouldlookveryniceindeed…Harrietwassittingwritingpostcardsatthedeskunderthesitting-room

windowwhensheheardacardrawupoutside.ItwastheAC428.ShewatchedthetwogirlsandDrEijsinckgetoutandcrossthepavementtothefrontdoor;thegirlswereobviouslyinhighspirits,andso,forthatmatter,wasthedoctor.Harriet,peepingfromherchair,thoughtthathelookedatleasttenyearsyoungerandgreatfun.Shereturnedtoherwriting,andpresentlytheyallthreeenteredtheroom,bringingwiththemtheunmistakableauraoflongstandingfriendship,which,quiteunintentionally,madeherfeelmoreofastrangerthanshehadfeltsinceshehadarrivedinHolland,andbecauseofthis,her‘Goodafternoon,Doctor’,wasratherstiffandshewasallthemoreannoyedwhenhesaid,

‘Ohhullo—allaloneagain?I’dbetterintroduceyoutothesetwo.’Heturnedtotheelderofthegirls.

‘ThisisMaggina.’ThegirlsshookhandsandMagginasaid‘Howdoyoudo?’—shewaslikehermotherandSieske,butwithouttheirvividness.Ratherlikeacarboncopy,thoughtHarriet,likingher.

‘AndTaeike,’saidthedoctor.Shewasfourteenorfifteen,andonesawshewasgoingtobequitelovely;nowshewasjustaveryprettygirl,withacharmingsmileandnicemanners.SheshookhandswithHarriet,thenwentandstoodbyFrisoandslippedherhandunderhisarm.Hepatteditabsent-mindedlyandaskedHarrietinaperfunctorymannerifshehadhadabusyday,buttherewasnoneedforhertoreply,forjustthentherestofthefamilycameinandeverybodytalkedatonceandtherewasnothingforhertodobuttosmileandwithdrawalittleintothebackground.ShelookeduponceandfoundDrEijsinckwatchingheracrosstheroom,withanexpressiononhisfacewhichshefoundhardtoread,buthegavehernoopportunitytodoso,forthenextmomenthehadtakenhisleave.Sheheardthefrontdoorbangandhiscarstartup,butwithstoodthetemptationtoturnroundandlookoutofthewindow.

Wednesdaycame,thedayoftheparty,andwithitaLand-RoverfromDrEijsinck’shouse.Itwasdrivenbyhisgardener,andfilledtooverflowingwithazaleasandpolyanthus,andgreatbunchesofirisesandtulipsandfreesias.Harriet,helpingtoarrangethemaroundthehouse,pausedtostudythecomplicatederectionofflowersshehadachievedinonecornerofthedrawing-roomandtoremark,

‘IsupposeDrEijsinckhasaverylargegreenhouse?’

ItwasTaeikewhoanswered.‘Hehasthree.Igomanytimes—alsotohishouse.’

Harriettwitchedabranchofforsythiaintoitsexactpositionbeforesheanswered,‘Hownice.’ItwouldbeeasytofindoutagreatdealaboutthedoctorfromTaeike,butshecouldn’tbringherselftodoit.Sheaskedinstead,

‘Tellmeaboutyourschool,willyou?’thenlistenedtoTaeike’spolite,haltingEnglish,awarethatthegirlwouldhavemuchrathertalkedaboutFrisoEijsinck.

Wierdcameaftertea,withmoreflowers,andsattalkingtoDrVanMinnenuntilSieske,whohadgoneupstairstodress,camedownagainlookingradiant.Itwasthesignalforeveryoneelsetogoanddresstoo,leavingthepairofthemtoeachother’scompany,toforegatherpresentlyinthedrawing-roomwheretheyadmiredtheplaingoldringsthehappycouplehadexchanged.Theywouldwearthemuntiltheirmarriage,whentheywouldbetransferredfromtheirlefthandstotheirright.ItseemedtoHarrietthatthisexchangeofringsmadeeverythingrathersolemnandbinding.‘Plightingtheirtroth,’shemused,andaddedhercongratulationstoeveryoneelse’s.

Theguestsarrivedsoonafterwards,andshecircledtheroomwithfirstonethentheotheroftheVanMinnens,shakinghandsandutteringhernamewitheachhandshake.Asplendididea—onlysomeofthenameswerehardtoremember.Shewasstandingbythedoor,listeningrathernervouslytotheburgemeester,ahandsomemanwithanimposingpresencewhospokethepedanticEnglishshewasbeginningtoassociatewiththeeducatedDutch,whenFrisoEijsinckcamein.Shehadbeenright.Helooked—shesoughtfortherightwordandcameupwitheye-catching;butthensodidthegirlwithhim.Ablondethistime,Harrietnoted,watchingherwhileshesmiledattentivelyathercompanion,andwearingadressstraightoutofHarpers&Queen.Inhereffortstopreventascowlofenvy,Harrietsmiledevenmorebrilliantlyandgazedattheburgemeesterwithsuchalookofabsorbedattentionthatheembarkeduponamonologue,andaveryknowledgeableone,aboutthevarioustheatreshehadvisitedwhenhewaslastinLondon.Itwasfortunatethathedidn’texpectananswer,forHarrietwasabysmallyignorantaboutsociallifeinthegreatmetropolis,andwasabouttosayso,whenhepausedforbreathandFrisosaidfrombehindher,

‘Goodevening,MissSlocombe…burgemeester.’Heshookhandswiththemboth,andtheburgemeestersaid,‘IwasjusttellingthischarmingyoungladyhowmuchIenjoyed“The

Mousetrap”!’HeturnedtoHarriet.‘Ialsowenttosee“Cats”.’Hecoughed.‘You’veseenit,ofcourse,MissSlocombe?’

Bothmenwerelookingdownather,thespeakerwithalookofpoliteinquiry,DrEijsinckwithadecidedtwinkleinhisgreyeyes.Hercolourdeepened.‘Well,no.YouseeIliveinaverysmallvillageontheedgeofDartmoor.I…Idon’tgotoLondonoften.’Sheforboretomentionthatshehadn’tbeenthereforatleastfiveyears.Shewithdrewhergazefromtheoldermanandlookedquicklyatthedoctor,whosefacewasamaskofpoliteinterest;allthesame,shewasverywellawarethathewaslaughingather.Sheopenedhereyesverywideandsaidwithhauteur,‘EvenifIlivedinLondonIthinkitwouldbeunlikelythatIshouldgotosee“Cats”.I’mnotverywith-it,I’mafraid.’

Sheallowedherlongcurlinglashestosweepdownontohercheeksforjustasufficientlengthoftimeforhertwocompanionstonotethattheywerereal.Theburgemeester,whowasreallyratheradear,allowedadiscreeteyetoroveoverherperson.Hesaidwithelderlygallantry,

‘Ithinkthatyouaremostdelightfullywith-it,MissSlocombe.IhopethatIshallseemoreofyoubeforeyoureturntothatvillageofyours.Andnowtakeheraway,Friso,forIamsurethatwasyourreasonforjoiningus.’

Therewasnothingtodobutsmile,and,veryconsciousofFriso’shandonherarm,allowherselftobeguidedacrosstheroom.Onceoutofearshot,however,shestoodstillandsaid,

‘I’llbequiteallrighthere,Doctor.I’msurethereareagreatmanypeopletowhomyouwishtotalk.’Shelookedpointedlythroughtheopendoubledoorsintothedining-room,wherethebeautifulblonde,glassinhand,washoldingcourt.Somebodyhadstartedtherecord-player;Sieskestartedtodanceandhalfadozencouplesjoinedthem.Hercompanion,withoutbotheringtoanswerher,swungHarrietontotheimpromptudancefloor.Hedancedwell,withacompletelackoftiresomemannerisms.Harriet,whowasagooddancerherself,wouldhavebeenhappytohaveremainedashispartnerfortherestoftheevening,butinfactitwaslongaftermidnightbeforehecamenearheragain.Shewasperchedonthebottomstair,betweentwoofAede’sfriends,listeningtotheiraccountoflifeonthewardsinaRotterdamhospitalwheretheywerehousemen.Shesawhimstandingintheopendoorwayofthedrawing-roomacrossthehall,watchingthem.Afteraminutehestartedtocrossthehall,takingcarethatbothyoungmensawhisapproach.Whenhewasnearenough,hesaidsmoothly,

‘Harriet,Ihavelookedforyoueverywhere.’Heglancedatthetwoyoungmenwithasmileofcharmandauthoritywhichbroughtthemtotheirfeetwithacheerful‘Verywell,sir,’andanequallycheerful‘Seeyoulater’forHarrietwhofoundherselfaloneonthestaircase;butnotforlong,forDrEijsinckfoldedhimselfintothespacebesideher,takingupthelion’sshareofitwithhisbulk.Harrietwasannoyedtofeelathrillofpleasureathisclosenessandinaneffortto

ignoreit,saidcrossly,‘Youhaven’tbeenlookingformeeverywhere—youmusthaveseenme

dozensoftimesinthelasthourorso.Andwhydidyousendthosetwoboysaway?Iwantedthemtostay.’

Hestretchedouthislonglegs.‘Yes,Ithoughtyouwould,’hesaidcomplacently.‘That’swhy.’

Harriet’sbosomheavedwithanemotionshedidn’tbothertodefine;sheturnedfuriousblueeyestomeethislazilysmilingones.‘Well,’sheutteredatlength,andthenagain,‘Well!’

‘Atalossforwords?’heaskedkindly,tomaddenher.Sheturnedherheadaway,andsmiledatTaeikewhowaswanderingacrossthehall,andwasonthepointofcallingherwhenhesaidsoftly,‘No,Harry,Iwanttotalktoyou.’Hisvoicesoundeddifferent—firmandgentle.Shelookedathimandwentslowlypinkunderthelookonhisface;hewassmilingtoo—thesmilewasdifferenttoo.Hestudiedherforaminuteandthensaidmildly,‘That’sbetter;youusuallylookatmeasthoughIwerearatherunspeakabledrain.’

Shegavealittlesplutteroflaughteratthatandthenfrownedfiercelytoshowhimthatshehadn’tmeantit.‘Exceptingthefirsttimewemet,’hecontinued,ignoringthefrown.‘Youlookedatmethenasthoughyouwere—er—gladtoseeme.’

Shemanagedtolookawayatlast,anddespitethesuddenthuddingofherheartsaidsteadily,‘IthoughtyouweresomeoneI…knew.’

‘That’snotquitetrue,isit?’Notlookingathimmadeiteasiertoregainalevelhead.Hehadn’tsaidthat

hehadbeengladtoseeher;andwhataboutthebrunetteandtheexoticblondewhohadaccompaniedhimthatevening?AndwhathadAedesaid?ThatFrisohadagreatmanygirl-friends—Sieskehadsaidittoo.Harriethadnointentionofbeingoneofthemany.Shesaidinthesamesteadyvoice,

‘Notquitetrue,no.Butitanswersyourquestionwellenough.’Shelookedathimthen,tofindonlyamusementonhisface,perhapsshehad

beenmistakenafterall.Heheldoutahand.‘Let’sdance,’hesaid.Theycircledtheroomoncebeforehedrewheroutontotheverandah.The

nightwassurprisinglymild,windstillandverydark.Theystoodlookingoutovertheunseengarden;thefaintcleansmellofgrass,mingledwiththetangoftulipsandtheheavierscentofthehyacinths,madetheairadelight.Themusichadstopped,tobereplacedbyababbleofvoicesuntilpresentlyanewrecordwasputon—itwas‘Ifyougoaway’andamanwassinging.Harrietlistenedtothewords—theymadeherfeelsad,eventhoughtheywereonlypartofasong.FrisoEijsinck,veryclosebesideher,saidsoftly,

‘Youlikethissong.’Itwasastatement,notaquestion.‘Yes.’‘Youthinkitispossibleforamantofeellikethataboutawoman?’‘Yes,’saidHarriet.Regrettably,herconversationalpowershaddesertedher;

perhapsagoodthing,forshewashavingdifficultywithherbreathing.‘ItexpressessentimentswhichIdonotthinkIcanimproveupon,’saidDr

Eijsinckthoughtfully,‘unlessitisbydoingthis…’Shewascaught,turnedandheldclose—andthenkissed.Shehadbeen

kissedbefore,butneverinthisfashion.Againstallcommonsense,shekissedhimback.Whenshedrewawayheloosenedhisholdatonce,butwithoutreleasingher,andsaidoverhershoulder,

‘Hullo,Taeike.’Harriet,stillwithinthecircleofhisarm,glimpsedherstandinginthe

doorwayforabriefmomentbeforesheturnedonherheelandwentinside.Shehadsaidnothingatall,butshehadbrokenthespell;shetoldherselfthatshewasglad,forshehadsonearlyallowedherselftobecarriedaway.Shesaidlightly,

‘It’sgettingchilly—shallwegoinside?’andledthewaybacktothedrawing-roomwithoutlookingathim.Shewasatoncewhiskedofftodance,andFrisodidn’tseekheroutagain,onlytowardstheendoftheeveningshesawhisbroadbackdisappearingthroughthedoor,andwhenshesearchedtheroom,thebeautifulblondehadgonetoo.

ItwaswhileshewashelpingtorestoresomesortofordertotheroomsafterthelastguesthadgonethatHarrietfinallyadmittedtoherselfthatshehadfalleninlovewithFrisoEijsinck;nottheperfectFrisoofherdream,butthismanofwhomsheknewnothing;whobarelyspoketoher,andwhenhedid,leftheruncertainastowhetherheevenlikedher.Shestackedsomeplatescarefully—probablyhedidn’t—hiskissontheverandahhadbeenalmostcertainlypromptedbythesweet-smellinggardenandthesong…andalmostascertainlyhewouldhaveforgottenitbynow.Shewishedwithallherheartthatshecoulddothesame.

CHAPTERFOUR

ITSEEMEDveryquietonThursday;Wierd,whowasapathologistandworkedforabigdrugfirmoutsideDelft,hadleftearly;sohadAede;neitherofthemwouldbebackagainforatleastaweek,butSieske,sittingontheendofHarriet’sbedforarathersleepymorninggossip,toldherthatWierdhadsuggestedthatthetwogirlsshouldgodowntoDelftonMonday;hewouldbefreeintheafternoon,anditwasachanceforHarriettoseesomethingofHolland.

‘Verynice,’saidHarriet,‘butI’dlovetopokearoundonmyown.Wouldyoumind?Youcouldbothmeetmesomewhere.’

SieskeprotestedatthisuntilHarrietsaid,‘ThenIshan’tcome.’ShelikedSieskeverymuch,andWierdwasgreatfun,butsherememberedtheoldadage‘Two’scompany,three’snone’.Besides,itwouldbegoodforhertogoonherown.Shesmiledpersuasivelyatherfriend,andgotherownway.

TheywenttoSneekintheafternoon,tovisitSieske’sgrandparents.SieskedrovetheMinisheandhermothersharedbetweenthem,withHarrietbesideher,andMevrouwVanMinnendozingcomfortableintheback.Theytookthenarrowcountryroads,throughsmallvillages,eachwithitsownchurchandcafé,andlessfrequently,asolitaryshop,withrowsofklompenoneithersideofthedoorandagreatmanyadvertisementsinthewindowsforVanNelle’steaandNiemeijer’scoffeeandthemorefamiliarwashingpowdersandBlueBand.Sneek,whentheyreachedit,wassmallerthanshehadexpected,andveryquiet.SieskeexplainedthatthebesttimetovisititwasduringthesailingweekinAugust,whenitwaspackedwithvisitors,butitwastooearlyintheyearfortheboatstobeoutonSneekermeer,althoughthemorehardyweretobefoundatweek-ends,wrappedwarmlyagainstthewind,enjoyingtheluxuryofanalmostemptylake.

Sieske’sgrandparentslivedclosebytheWaterGate,inahouseasoldandcharmingastheirson’s;theyhad,ofcourse,beenatthepartythepreviousevening,buthadgonehomeearly.Nowtheysettleddowncomfortablytomullovereveryaspectoftheguests’clothes,viewsandappearance,andthisnaturallyledtoanotunkindlygossipabouttheirvariousfriends,andfinally,overcupsoftea,praiseofMevrouwVanMinnenforhavingarrangedsuchamemorable

evening.Harrietdidn’tunderstandthehalfofit,buttherewasagreatdealtolookatintheroom,andSiesketranslatedasmuchaspossibleoftheconversation,andpresentlyoldMijnheerVanMinnencameandsatbesideher,andtalked,ratherhesitantly,inEnglish.Heaskedagreatmanyquestionsandexpressedsurprisethatshewasnotmarried,oratleastengaged.

‘Perhapsyouwillfindahusbandhere,Harriet,’hesaid.Shefeltherselfgopinkunderhissharpoldeyesandwasgladthattheygotuptogobeforesheneededtoanswer.

MagginaandTaeikewerehomewhentheygotback;theyweretiredandrathercrossanddidn’ttalkmuch,andaftertheeveningmealtheywenttothesmallroomatthebackofthehousewheretheystudiedtheirschoolbookswithoutthetemptationsoftheradioortelevision,leavingtheirelderstositandtalkindesultoryfashionuntiltheydispersed,bycommonconsenttoanearlybed.

Thenextmorningatbreakfast,Harrietasked,ratherdiffidently,ifshemighthelpinthemorningsurgery.‘Icouldlookoutthecardsforyou,Doctor,andclearupthings—that’sifnooneminds.’

Shelookedroundthetable.Sieske,sheknew,wasgoingtothedressmakers,thegirlshadalreadyleftforschool…sheturnedbacktothedoctor,whosmiledandsaid,‘Yes,Harriet,youwouldbearealhelp,butyoumustnotfeelthatbecauseyoudoittoday,thatyouhavetodoiteveryday.’

Thewaitingroomwasfull;itwas,Harrietthought,verylikeOut-Patientsinhospital.Thefactthatshewasunabletounderstandawordofwhatwasbeingsaidmadeverylittledifference.Cutfingersandearacheandvaricoseulcerswerethesameinanylanguage.Theplumprosy-cheekedbabiescriedinexactlythesamewayasdidthebabiesathome,andthesmallboyswerejustasbentonhavingtheirownway.Thelastpatientcameandwent,andsheclearedup,closedthefilingcabinetsandwentbackthroughthedoorintothehouse,andifshefeltdisappointmentatnotseeingDrEijsinck,shedidn’tadmitittoherself.

TheywenttothePlanetariumintheafternoon;therewasnoonetherebutherselfandSieskeandthecurator,whoexplainedthecomplexityofnailsinthelittleattic,andansweredherquestionsinschoolmaster’sEnglish.ShehadnodoubtatallthathewouldhaveansweredherjustaseasilyandfluentlyinFrenchorGerman.Theywentbackdownstairsintothesmallbackroomwherethesolarsystemrevolved,yearafteryear,aroundthebluewoodenceiling.Itwasasmallhouse;sheimagineditcenturiesearlier,notverywellfurnished,butcosy.LikesomanyotherhousesinHolland,itbecamehomethemomentyouenteredthefrontdoor.Butperhaps,shereflected,thatonlyappliedtotheoldhousesshehadbeenin;shehadhadnoopportunitytovisitanythingmodernanddidn’t

particularlywantto.Shewondered,fleetingly,ifshewouldbegiventheopportunitytoseeinsideDrEijsinck’shouse.Thepossibilityseemedremote.

Itwasthenextmorning,duringtheirearlymorninggossip,thatSieskesaid,‘Let’sgoovertoFriso’shousethisafternoon;Fatherisoncallthisweek-end,andMotherwillstaywithhim,andMagginaandTaeikearegoingtosomefriends.There’sanoldbikeyoucanhave.’ShelookedinquiringlyatHarriet,whosaid,inaneutralvoice,

‘Thatsoundsfun,butwon’themind?’‘Hewon’tbethere;it’shisweek-endoff,andhesaidsomethingaboutgoing

toTheHague.’Harrietsaidslowly,throughanachingdisappointment,‘I’dlovetogo.’It

would,afterall,besomething,justtoseehisgarden.Theysetoffafterlunch,laughingagooddeal,forthebicyclewhichhad

beenfoundforHarrietwasanold-fashionedmodel,withhighhandlebarsandasaddletomatch.ShefeltlikeQueenVictoriaathermostdignifieduntilshenearlyfelloffwhensheidlyback-pedalled.Shehadquiteforgottenthatwashowthebrakesworked.

Therewasanarrowpavedpathrunningbesidetheroadtothevillage;fortheexclusiveuseofcyclists,itmadethejourneymuchlesshazardousforHarriet,whofeltakeenurgetoveertotheleft.Thepathwasuneven,anddroppedacoupleoffeetintoaditchonitsotherside,soitwasjustaswellthatshehadnotrafficproblems;besides,therewasagreatdealtolookatandexclaimover.TheAprilsunwaswarmandinitslightthecountrysidelookedasthoughithadbeennewlypainted;onlytheskywasstillaremote,paleblue,andthewind,theever-presentwind,chilledeverythingittouched.Harriet,despiteherthickpolo-neckedsweaterandslacks,shivered,tobewarmedbythesightoftheirongatesofFriso’shouse,theirgildedspear-headedtopsshininginthesun,andstandinginvitinglyopen.Thedrivewasshortandstraight,toendinageneroussweepofsmoothgravelbeforethefrontofthehousebeforeitdivided,todisappearroundeithercorner.Sieskeledthewaytotheleft-handfork.Harriet,followingmoreslowly,surveyedthesolidfrontdoor,withitsimposingknockerandbeautifulfanlight,andlongedtogetoffherbikeandgoinside.Therewerethreelongwindowsbeforeshereachedthecorner;shecouldjustglimpsetheirdrapedpelmetsandrich,heavycurtains;thewindowscontinuedalongthesideofthehousetoo,andtherewasasmallstonebalustradedstairdisappearingtoabasementshecouldnotsee.

SieskehaddisappearedandHarrietfoundherstandingonthevastgravelledspacebehindthehouse.Shehadproppedhermachineagainstthestonebalustradewhichseparateditfromthegardenbelow,andHarrietputhers

carefullybesideitandturnedtolookherfill.TheverandahshehadseenfromAede’scarranthefullwidthofthehousebehindthem,afinetraceryofwroughtiron,withwidefloor-lengthwindowsopeningontoitfromthehouse,andadelicatestairleadingtothegravel,fromwhosecentreanotherstonestairledtothegarden.ItwasaperfectexampleofDutchformality;anexactrectangleenclosedbyayewhedgeclippedtoperfection,filledwithageometricaldesignofflowersincarefullymatchedorcontrastingcoloursborderedbygreenvelvetturf.Therewasarectangularpoolinitscentre,withaflagstonepathrunningaroundit,andagroupofsmallstonechildrenringingasmallfountainasitsfocalpoint.Harrietleanedcomfortablyoverthestonework,lookingatitall,andsaidatlength,

‘IfIlivedhere,withthisgarden,IshouldneverwanttogoanywhereelsesolongasIlived,’andthenflushedpinklyincaseSieskemisunderstood.Apparentlyshehadn’t,forshesaidmerely,

‘Yes,itisbeautiful,andoldtoo.Friso’sancestor,theonewhobuiltthehouse,madethegarden—it’snotbeenchangedsince.’Sheturnedawayandsaid,‘Let’sgoandfindJan—he’sthegardener—andtellhimwe’rehere.’Sheledthewayalonganarrowpathatrightanglestothehouse;ithadturfbordersanddenseshrubberyoneitherside.

‘Thisleadstothegreenhouses,’explainedSieske.‘I’llgoonahead,shallI,andthencomebackforyou.’

Leftalone,Harrietslowedhersteps.Itwaswarmandshelteredandveryquiet.Thepathcurledandcurledagainandthendivided.Shetooktheleft-handforkandcamealmostimmediatelyintoasmallopenspace,withapottingshedinonecornerwithawheel-barrowoutsideit.FrisoEijsinckwassittingonitshandle,fillingapipe.Hegottohisfeetandsaid‘Hullo,’inaquiteunsurprisedway,andsmiledathersothatherheartthumpedagainstherribsandshecouldbarelymusterbreathtosay‘Hullo’too,andthenstupidly,‘You’reinTheHague.’

‘Ichangedmymind,’hesaideasily.‘Comeandsitdown.’‘Sieske’sgonetospeaktoyourgardener.’Shehadretrievedherbreath;all

thesame,shethoughtshewouldstaywhereshewas.‘Ihopeit’sconvenient…wedidn’tthinkyouwouldbehome,DoctorEijsinck.’

Hervoicesoundedstiffeventoherownears,asitapparentlydidtoherlistener’s,forhesaidinvitingly,‘TrycallingmeFriso,andstopplayingatHaughtyHarrywithme.I’mnotacarefreeyounghouseman,youknow—you’requitesafe.’

Shestaredathim,beautifuleyesblazingbeneathknittedbrows,hermouthslightlyopenwhileshesoughtforwords.‘Well,’shemanaged,‘ofallthe…

you…you…’Athoughtstruckher.‘HowdidyouknowaboutHaughtyHarry?’shedemanded.

Hesaidsmoothly,‘Yourfamewentbeforeyou.Sieskepaintedaverytruepictureofyou—Ishouldhaverecognizedyouanywhere.’Hepattedtheotherhandleofthewheelbarrow.‘Comeandsitdown.’Shedidasshewasbidthistime,andhesaid,‘That’sbetter;Idodislikesayingeverythingtwice.’

Sheaskedatonce,forshehadtoknow,‘DidyouknowwhoIwas—ImeanthatdayIwaswaitingonthepavement…’

‘Yes,ofcourse.Andyourecognizedme,didn’tyou,althoughyoudidn’tknowme.’

Shescuffledherfeetinthesoftearthygroundandwonderedexactlywhathemeant.Shewouldliketoknow.ShehadopenedhermouthtoaskwhenSieske’svoice,quiteclose,called,‘Harry,whereareyou?’Sheappearedbesidethembeforetheycouldreplyandsaidcomfortably,

‘Thereyouare—hownicethatyoufoundFriso;Istoppedtolookattheseorchidsofyours,Friso.They’regorgeous.’

Shesatdownonthewheelbarrowhandlewhichhehadvacated,andhewenttositonachoppingblock.Itwastypicaloftheman,thoughtHarriet,thathecontrivedtolookwell-dressedinanopen-neckedshirtandcorduroysandWellingtons.Helookedupandcaughthereye,andshesaidinahurry,‘Oh,doyougroworchids?Howinteresting,’andwassorryshehadspoken,forheimmediatelybegantotalkaboutpaphiopedilumsandodontoglossums,onlypausingtosay,‘Butofcourseyouwouldknowallaboutthem,Harriet.’

Shegavehimalevellookandsaidflatly,‘No.Ijustlikegardens.’‘Ah,yes,ofcourse,’heremarkedblandly,andgottohisfeet.‘AndIshallbe

delightedtoshowyouthisone.’Theysetoff,thethreeofthem,shortlytobejoinedbytwodogs,who

appearedsilentlyfromtheshrubberyandpaddedalong,oneeachsideofthedoctorwhowasleadingtheway.‘J.B.,’heintroducedthebulldogwithacasualwaveofhishand,andwhenHarrietsaid‘Hullo,J.B.’,thenobleanimalgaveheraconsideredglanceandploddedon.Hiscaninecompanionwas,however,ofaquitedifferentcharacter;dueperhapstohispeculiarappearance.Heseemedtobealltail,withalongthinbodyandasmallpointedfoxyfacewitheyesofmeltingsoftness.Hewatchedhismastereagerlyandwhenthedoctorsaid‘ThisisFlotsam’dancedaroundHarrietwithagreatshowofgoodfellowship.‘Nicedog,’saidHarriet,‘butwhatafunnyname.’

‘Yes,isn’tit?’remarkedSieske,‘butit’sjustright,yousee,becauseFrisofound…’shewasquietlyinterrupted.

‘ShallwegoroundtheDutchgardenfirst?It’sbyfarthebestthingtosee.’

Theywanderedaround,takingtheirtime,especiallyHarriet,whowasinclinedtogooffonlittletripsofherowntogetacloserviewofanythingwhichmighthavecaughthereye.HerenthusiasmwassharedbyFlotsamwhobehavedasthoughhewasseeingeverythingforthefirsttimeandwasenrapturedbyit;Harrietbentdownandpulledgentlyatalongfeatheryear—hereallywasanunusual-lookingdog,notatallthesortofanimalshewouldexpecttofind.HerthoughtswereinterruptedbyFrisosaying,

‘Sieske,wouldyougointothehouseandtellAnnatohaveteaforthethreeofus—I’lltakeHarriettoseethegardenroomandwe’lljoinyouinafewminutes.’HehadbeenstrollingalongwithanarmflungaroundSieske’sshoulders,butwithdrewitnow,andgaveheragentlepush.‘Ifyourmotherisexpectingyouhomeyoucantelephoneheratthesametime.’

Harrietwatchedherfrienddisappearinthedirectionofthehouse,andthen,becauseFrisowasstaringather,burstintospeech.

‘Agardenroom?Itsoundsdelightful.Whereisit?DowegothesamewayasSieske?’

Sheshouldhaveheldhertongue,forhecameverycloseandtookholdofherhandandkissedher,verylightly,onhercheek,thensaid,laughingalittle,‘No,wegodownhere,’anddrewheralongaverynarrowpathburrowingitselfthroughtheshrubbery.Itwassurprisinglyshortandendedoppositethesmallstonestairsshehadpassedearlierintheafternoon.Theywentdownit,stillhandinhand,withthedogscloseattheirheels,andFrisoopenedthethickwoodendoorontoaroomlightedbyarowoflittlewindowsundertheverandah.Itwasdimandcoolinside,withrowsofshelvesalongitswhitewashedwalls,piledwithacomfortableclutterofflowerpots,seedtrays,ballsofstringandwateringcans.Therewasaheavywoodentableagainstonewallandavarietyofshabbybasketchairs,plumplyupholsteredandwellcushioned.Alongtheotherwalltherewasastonetroughfullwithagreatvarietyofferns,theirscentdeliciousandfaintlydamp.

Harrietlookedaroundher.‘It’snice,’shesaidslowly,‘tobehere,onawarmsummerday,arrangingtheflowersforthehouse…’Shestoppedandblushed,forshehadn’tmeanttosaythatatall,butFrisosaidsmoothly,asthoughhehadn’theard,‘MymotherusedtobringmeherewhenIwasaverysmallboy.Isatandwatchedherwhileshefilledthevases;shediditverywell.’

Harrietlookedupandmethiscalmgreyeyes,herownholdingthequestionshedidn’tliketovoice;heanswereditasthoughshehadspoken.‘She’sinCuraçao,withmyyoungbrother;he’sMedicalSuperintendentatthehospitalthere.He’sbeenmarriedforacoupleofyearsandtheyhadalittlegirlafewmonthsago;mymotherwenttothechristening.’Hewentondeliberately,‘Ialso

haveasister.She’smarriedtoo,andlivesinGeneva.’HarrietbentdownandtickledFlotsam’schin,thensaiduncertainly,‘I’m

gladyouhaveafamily.’‘Nowwhyshouldyousaythat?’hewantedtoknow.Shefoundherself

tellinghimaboutthestainedwaistcoatandthestoopandtheharassedexpression,thenpeepedathimtoseeifhewaslaughing,andwassurprisedtofindthathewasn’t.‘Andwereyousorryforme?’heaskedgravely.

‘Well,yes,’saidHarriet,andhewenton,‘Butnotanymore.’‘No.’Shefeltfoolishandabitcross,mostlywithherself.‘HowcanIbe

sorryforyouwhenyouhavealovelyhomeandafamilyandagorgeouscar,’shepaused,‘and—andbeautifulgirl-friends.’

Hegaveagreatshoutoflaughter,andshesaidwithacertainpeevishness,‘I’mgladyoufinditamusing,’andstartedtowalktowardsthedoor,buthegottherefirstandstoodinfrontofit,blockingitentirely,lookingdownather,smiling.

‘You’rebeautifultoo,Harriet.ShallIaddyoutomycollectionofgirl-friends?’

Shestoodverystill,waitingforthefeelingofangerwhichdidn’tcome;onlyasuddenwishtoburstintotearsfollowedbytheurgentdesiretotossoffsomelightheartedreply.Forthelifeofher,shecouldn’tthinkofone,andwasstilldesperatelysearchingwhenhesaidgently,‘I’msorry,Harriet—Ihadforgottenthatyouaren’tlikeanyoneelse.’Heopenedthedoorandwhistledtothedogs,‘Let’shavetea,’hesaidinaperfectlyordinaryvoice.

Theyenteredthehousefromtheverandah.Theroom,shesupposed,wasthedrawing-room;itwasverylargeandhigh-ceilinged,thewallswerepaintedwhiteandintricatelygilded,therewasagreatcrystalchandelierhangingfromthecentreoftheceiling,andminiatureonesspacedalongthewalls.Thefloor-lengthcurtainswereofdeeprosevelvet,fringedandbraidedandelaboratelyswathed;theymatchedthecarpetandthecutvelvetofsomeofthechairsandtheenormouscouchesoneithersideofthehoodedfireplace,buttheremainderoftheeasychairsandthewindowcushionswerecoveredinapalechintz,whichsomehowturnedtheratherformalroomintoaveryhabitableone.HarriethadstoppedjustinsidetheFrenchwindow;itwasn’tthesortofroomtobewalkedthroughunheeding,butFrisosaidbriskly,

‘Thisisthesalon—drawing-roomyouwouldsay,Ithink.Wealwayshaveteainthesmallparlour—it’scosier.’

Heledthewaytoadoorsetinthewallandopeneditforhertogoin.Theroomwasindeedsmallandcosycomparedwiththerathergrandroomtheyhadjustleft;itwaspanelledinsomewoodHarrietdidn’trecognizeandwascarpeted

inarichclaretcolourwhichwasechoedinthebrocadecurtainsatthewindows.Therewereseveralhigh-backed,wingedchairs,andacoupleofWilliamandMarytallbacksflankingasofatable.Harrietsawthattheywereallold,beautifullycaredfor,andusedconstantly.

Sieske,whowascurledupinachairbythesmallfireplace,putdownthemagazineshewasreading.

‘ItoldAnnathatwewouldringfortea’—shewavedahandatthesmalltablebesideher,alreadyburdenedwithplatesofbiscuitsandtinyicedcakesandpaperthinsandwiches;apparentlyFrisolikedmorethanacupofteaintheafternoon.Hewalkedacrosstheroomnow,andpulledtheold-fashionedbellrope,atthesametimesaying,

‘Sitdown,Harriet,’andtookaseathimselfnearSieskeandaskedher,‘AreyougoingtoDelftintheMini?’

Sieskeputdownhermagazine.‘Yes.Oh,Friso,willyoucometoo—Imean,wecouldallgoinyourcar.’Hehesitatedbeforehereplied,sothatHarrietwasfilledwithasudden

excitementthathewould,thenhesaidcoolly,‘Sorry.I’mprettysuretobebusy,andthere’sthebabyclinicintheafternoon.’Hestretchedouthisvastperson,sothathefilledthenotinconsiderablechairhesatin,andstartedtotalkaboutnothingatall,andcontinuedtodoso,mostentertainingly,allthroughtea.Theygotuptogopresently,andHarrietreflectedthathehadn’tsuggestedthatshemightliketoseeatleastsomeofhishouse.Buthemadenosuchsuggestion,nordidhementionanothervisit,butwalkedtothegateswiththemandsaid‘Totziens’inacasualway,whichwas,shehadalreadygathered,theDutchwayofsaying‘Seeyousoon’.TheyweresomeyardsfromthegatewhenhebellowedsomethingatSieske,wholookedoverhershoulderandshoutedback.Harrietwouldhavelikedtolookbackathimtoo,butsherecognizedherlimitationsasacyclist;toriskfallingflatonherfacewouldhaveruinedanotaltogethersuccessfulafternoon.ShesaidtoSieske,whowasbesideheragain,‘Hesoundedasthoughhewasswearinggreatoaths!’

Sieskelaughed.‘Dutchisperhapsalittledifficult.Frisomerelysaidthathewouldcallforustomorrowmorningandtakeustochurch.’

Harrietrangherbellfornoreasonatall.‘Notme?’sheasked.‘Yes,ofcourse,you.Youandme.Motherwillstayincasetherearecallsfor

Father.IdonotknowaboutMagginaandTaeike;Isupposeiftheywanttocome,theycan.’Shefelltotalkingaboutthegarden,andFriso’snamewasn’tmentionedagain.

Harrietdressedwithcarethenextmorning.Herthinwooldressandcoatwerealmostnewandadeliciousshadeofalmondgreen.Theybecameher

mightily;sodidthesilkturbanwithitsendstiedinajauntyknotinthenapeofherneck;hershoesweregoodonesandmatchedherglovesandhandbag.SheappliedMissDiorwiththoughtfulcareandsurveyedherselfinthelongmirrorbetweenthewindows;evenhercriticaleyeapprovedofwhatitsaw.Shenoddedatherreflectionandwentdownstairs;thedesiretoimpressDrEijsinckwiththeknowledgethatshewasnopennilessdowdworkingpowerfullywithinher.Sieskewasinthesitting-room,telephoningWierd;shelookedupasHarrietwentin,raisedhereyebrowsandmadeafemininesoundofappreciation,echoedbyMagginaandTaeike,whoappeared,hattedandgloved,inthedoorway.

SieskehadrungoffandwasabouttospeakwhenthefrontdoorwasopenedbyapowerfularmandFrisojoinedthem.Hegavethemacollectivegoodmorning,bestowedabriefdisinterestedglanceonHarriet,muchasamanwouldlookatyesterday’snewspaper,anddisappearedinthedirectionofthesurgery.Hereappearedamomentlater,agreedcasuallytoTaeike’surgentrequesttositbyhiminfront,andopenedthedoor;astheyfiledthrough,hesaid,feelingly,‘Greatheavens,fourofyou!’TherewaslaughterfromtheVanMinnensandapolitesmilefromHarriet;afterall,hehadsuggestedit,hadn’the?Theill-conceivedideathatsheshouldcryoffwithasplittingheadachewaswreckedatbirthbyhiscompellinghandhelpingherfarmorecarefullythanwasnecessary,intothecar.

Thechurchwaslarge,toolargeforthesizeofthevillage,butnonethelesssurprisinglyfull.DrEijsinck’spewwasintheveryfront;ithadelaboratelycarvedendswhichborehisnamewrittenincopperplateonalittlewhitecardfixedintoabrassholder.Hestood,completelyatease,whiletheyallfiledpasthim.Taeikehadhungback,buthadhadtogoinfirst,lookingsulky;Magginawentnext,thenSieske,whotookHarriet’shandandtuggeditgently.Thedoctorsettledhimselfintheremainingspace;thereseemedtobeagreatdealofhimatsuchclosequarters.Hefoundthehymnforherinabeautifulleather-boundbookheproducedfromapocket,whileSieskeexplainedaboutnotkneelingandsittingdowntosingandtopray.Harrietfeltfaintlyconfused,especiallyasshewasn’tattendingverymuchtoSieske.Howcouldshe,withFrisosittingbesideher?

Eventhoughshedidn’tunderstandawordoftheservice,sheenjoyedit.ThedoctorandSiesketookcaretopointouthowfartheyhadgotintheincomprehensiblebooksheheldasshesatbetweenthem,listeningtoSieske’sprettyvoicesinging,andtothedoctor’sdeepone,boomingitswayunselfconsciouslythroughthehymns.Thesermonwaslong,butthedominee,anenormouswhite-hairedmanwithacompellingvoice,fascinatedher.Shehadtheimpressionthathewasharanguingthecongregationabouttheirmisdeeds,buta

cautiousglancearoundshowednothingbutrowsofguiltlessfaces—eithertheyhidtheirfeelingswell,orhewasunnecessarilystern.Butwhateverhewashisvoicewasbeautiful;itrolledaroundthechurch,helpedbythemagnificentsoundingboardabovehishead,andshewishedsheunderstoodhim.

Shehadbeenwarnedbeforehandaboutthetwocollections;shehadhertwoguldensreadyastheeldersadvanceddowntheaisle,butthenhereyecaughtthenotesinthedoctor’shands—theywerealmosthidden,butshethoughtthattheywerefortengulden.ShelookedatSieske,butshewasbendingovertopickupaglove.Thedoctor’senormoushandtookherbagfromher,extractedthetwoguldenpieces,andputoneineachofherhands.Hesaidnothing,buthesmiled,hisgreyeyestwinkling,sothatshefoundherselfsmilingbackathim.Justforthatmomenttheyseemedtohaveknowneachotherforever.

ItseemedthattheyweretogobacktoFriso’shouseafterchurch;afewpeoplewerecominginfordrinks;itwasallverylikelifeinthevillageathome.Harrietfollowedtheothersthroughthemaindoorintothetiledhall,andallowedasmallneatmanwithawrinkledfacetoremovehercoatandtakehergloves,andthenshookhandswithhimwhenMagginaintroducedhimasWimwithoutexplainingwhohewas.Hedidn’tfollowthemintothedrawing-room,sopresumablyhewasthemanservantAedehadmentioned.Shelingeredforamomentatthedoor;shewouldhavedearlylikedtohaveexploredthehallandthedoorsoneithersideofit,andstillmore,thecarvedstaircasecurvinguptothefloorabove.Therewereanumberofportraitsonthewallstoo.Sheturnedreluctantlytoencounterthevastexpanseofthedoctor’swaistcoat,andspoketoitwithahintofapology.‘Iwasjustlookingatthehall.It’srather—ratherbeautiful.’Sheblushedfiercely;eventoherownearstheremarkhadsoundedpretentious.‘NotthatIknowanythingaboutit,’sheadded,inadequately,makingitworse.

Hestoodasideforhertoentertheroomandsaidpolitely,‘I’mgladyoulikeit.Comeandhaveaglassofsherry,’andusheredheracrosstheexpanseofcarpettowheretheothersweresitting.Shehadbarelytakentwosipswhenthedooropenedagain,andthedomineecamein,followedbyseveralotherpeoplewhoapparentlywereontermsofgoodfriendshipwithFriso.Harrietshookhandswiththemrathershyly,andwasrelievedwhentheyimmediatelyspokeinEnglish,showingakindlyinterestinherwhichshefoundverypleasant,ifsurprising.Shewaspassedfromonetootherlittlegroupuntilshefetchedupbythedominee,whoaskedagreatmanyquestionsinquiteperfectandbeautifullyspokenEnglish,andonlyinterruptedhimselfwhenthelanternclockonthewallbesidehimstruckthehourinadelicatefarawayfashion.‘Solate!’heexclaimed,‘Imustgo,butwithregret.Wemustmeetagainbeforeyoureturn,Miss

Slocombe.’Heengulfedherhandandshookitsothatthebonesprotestedandwentaway,tobereplacedatoncebyanelegantlydressedlittlewoman,whowantedtoknow,surprisingly,ifMarksandSpencerwerestillsellingthoserathernicequilteddressing-gowns…shehadboughtoneonherlastvisittoLondon;shewouldcertainlygetanotheriftheywerestillavailable.Harriet,whodidagooddealofherownshoppingthere,wasabletogiveherthenewsthattheywere,andtheabsorbingtopicofclotheskeptthemhappilyoccupieduntiltherewasageneralmovementofdeparture.

Harrietfoundherselfgoingthroughthedoorwiththedoctor,hazilyuncertainastohowthishadhappened;shehadthoughtthatshewassurroundedbyotherpeople;theyappearedtohavemeltedaway.Theypausedonthestepoutside,watchingeveryonesortthemselvesintotheircars.Therewasanothercartherenow,adarkblueBentley,withWimsittinginthedrivingseat.Shesaidwithoutmuchthought,‘Isthatyourcar,too,theBentley?’Sheglancedupathim,toencounteracoolglancefromthegreyeyes.

‘Yes.Wimwilltakeyouback.I’msorrythatIcannot,butIhaveguestsforluncheon.’Heputhishandsinhispockets,loungingagainstthesideofthedoor.‘Bytheway,’hesaid,‘youlookverysmart—I’mmuchimpressed.ButthenIwasmeanttobe,wasInot,Harriet?’

Shetookhergloveoff,andthenputitonagainwithcare;hervoiceshookonlyalittlewhenshereplied,‘Howdetestableyouare!IhopeIshan’tseeyouagain,DrEijsinck.’Shestartedtowalktowardsthecar,andhewalkedwithher.

‘You’reashockingliar,’heremarkedcheerfully.Hesawthemallintothecar,ignoringTaeike’sstillsulkyface,thenputhisheadthroughtheopenwindownexttoHarriet.

‘Ishouldhaveaskedyoutolunch,Harriet,thenyoucouldhavemetthebrunette.’Hegrinnedather.Beforeshecouldthinkofananswerthecarhadstarted.

‘Whatdidhemean?’askedTaeikesharply.Harrietwasfartoobusywithherownthoughtstonoticetheedgeofthegirl’svoice.‘Oh,itwasjustajoke,’shesaidcarefully,andfelltotalkingaboutthevariouspeopleshehadmet.

CHAPTERFIVE

THEYSETOFFforDelftthefollowingmorning,shortlyafterbreakfast;amealduringwhicheachmemberofthefamilyhadaddedhisorherquotatothelistofsightsthatHarrietsimplyhadtosee.ShewrotethemdowninherneathandwritingwithapenborrowedfromDrVanMinnen,onaleaftornfromhispocket-book.Itwasalengthylistbythetimeshehadfinishedit;shelookeduptomakesomelaughingremarkandencounteredTaeike’sstarefromtheothersideofthetable.Forabrief,unbelievingsecondHarrietthoughtshesawhateintheprettylittleface,andthentoldherselfshewasmistakenasTaeike’sfacebrokeintoasweetsmileasshesaidinherdeliberateEnglish,‘Ihopeyouhavealovelyday,Harriet.’

TheywentovertheAfsluitdijk,SieskesendingtheMiniracingalongitslengthwhileshepointedouttheoppositecoastandexplainedaboutthedijk.Harrietlistenedandlookedatthequietwaterlappingatthedijk’sedge,andwatchedthebirdspotteringalongbetweenthestonesofthedijkitself.Itwasallveryquietandpeaceful.Therewereveryfewcars,andthosetorepastthem,theironlyaimtogettotheothersideasquicklyaspossible.Theywentthroughthegiantsluicesandwereondrylandagain;prettyenough,butnottobecomparedwithFriesland.ShetoldSieskeso,tohaveherremarkgreetedwithdelight.

‘YouspeaklikeatrueFriesian,’sheglancedsidewaysatHarriet.‘Ibelieveyoulikemycou