242 Hans Brinker

XXIX
A DAY OF REST

HE sight-seeing came to:an end at last; and so did our
boys’ visit to the Hague. They had spent three
happy days and nights with the Van Gends, and, strange to
say, had not once, in all that time, put on skates. ‘The third
day had indeed been one of rest. The noise and bustle of
the city was hushed: sweet Sunday bells sent blessed, tranquil
thoughts into their hearts. Ben felt, as he listened to their
familiar music, that the Christian world is one, after all, how-
ever divided by sects and differences it may be. As the
clock speaks every one’s native language, in whatever land it
may strike the hour, so church-bells are never foreign, if our
hearts but listen.

Led on by those clear voices, our party, with Mevrouw van
Gend and her husband, trod the quiet but crowded streets,
until they came to a fine old church in the southern part of
the city. ;

The interior was large, and, notwithstanding its great stained
windows, seemed dimly lighted, though the walls were white,
and dashes of red and purple sunshine lay brightly upon pillar
and pew.

Ben saw a few old women moving softly through the aisles,
each bearing a high pile of foot-stoves, which she distributed
among the congregation, by skilfully slipping out the under
one, until none were left. It puzzled him that mynheer