228 Hans Brinker

hasten to save his father; but we, who know the gruff old
gentleman better, may be confident he will do no such thing.
It would be a kindness to send a visiting physician from
Amsterdam to the cottage at once, if Jufvrouw! Brinker will
consent to receive any but the great king of the meesters, as
Dr. Boekman certainly is.

*©'You know, mother,” added Peter, “that I have always
considered Sister Van Gend’s house .as rather quiet and
lonely ; but I assure you it is not so now. Sister says our
presence has warmed it for the whole winter. Brother Van
Gend is very kind to us all. He says we make him wish
that he had a houseful of boys of his own. He has promised
to let’ us ride on his noble black horses. They are gentle as
kittens, he says, if one have but a firm touch at the rein.
Ben, according to Jacob’s account, is a glorious rider; and
your son Peter is not a very bad hand at the business: so
we two are to go out together this morning, mounted like
knights of old. After we return, Brother Van Gend says he
will lend Jacob his English pony, and obtain three extra
horses; and all of the party are to trot about the city in a
grand cavalcade, led on by him. He will ride the black horse
which father sent him from Friesland. My sister’s pretty
roan, with the long white tail, is lame; and she will ride none
other, else she would accompany us. I could scarce close
my eyes last night, after sister told me of the plan. Only
the thought of poor Hans Brinker and his sick father checked
me: but for that, I could have sung for joy. Ludwig has

1 In Holland, women of the lower grades of society do not take the
title of Mrs. (or mevrouw) when they marry, as with us. They assume
their husband’s name, but are still called Miss (jufvrouw, pronounced

yuffrow).