or, The Silver Skates 123

“© Very sick, mynheer.”

“ Why go for Dr. Boekman, Hans! There are others in
Amsterdam who could help him, perhaps. Boekman is a
famous man, sought only by the wealthiest ; and they often
wait upon him in vain.”

“« He promised, mynheer: he promised me yesterday to come
to the father in a week. But, now that the change has come,
we cannot wait——we think the poor father is dying. Oh,
mynheer! you can plead with him to come quick. He will
not wait a whole week, and our father dying, the good meester
is so kind.”

“ So kind!” echoed Peter, in astonishment. “ Why, he is
known as the crossest man in Holland!”

“He looks so because he has no fat, and his head is busy ;
but his heart is kind, I know. Tell the meester what I have
told you, mynheer, and he will come.”

“T hope so, Hans, with all my heart. You are in haste to
turn homeward, I see. Promise me, that, should you need a
friend, you will go to my mother, at Broek. Tell her I bade
you see her. And, Hans Brinker, not as a reward, but as a
gift, take a few of these guilders.”

Hans shook his head resolutely.

“No, no, mynheer! I cannot take it. If I could find work
in Broek, or at the South Mill, I would be glad. But it is the
same story everywhere, —‘ Wait till spring.’ ”

“Tt is well you speak of it,” said Peter, eagerly; ‘ for my
father needs help at once. ‘Your pretty chain pleased him
much. He said, ‘That boy has a clean cut: he would be
good at carving.’ here is to be a carved portal to our new
summer-house ; and father will pay well for the job.”

“God is good!” cried Hans, in sudden delight. “Oh,