284 Hans Brinker

Gretel lifted the big Dutch Bible from its carved shelf.
Dr. Boekman, rather dismayed at being called a minister,
coughed, and handed the volume to his assistant.

“ Read,” he muttered. ‘ These people must be kept quiet,
or the man will die yet.”

When the chapter was finished, Dame Brinker motioned
mysteriously to the rest, by way of telling them that- her
husband was asleep. -
said the doctor, in a subdued tone, as

>

“ Now, jufurouw,
he drew on his thick woollen mittens, “there must be perfect
quiet. You understand. This is truly a most remarkable
case. I shall come again to-morrow. Give the patient no
food to-day ;”? and, bowing hastily, he left the cottage, fol-
lowed by his assistant.

His grand coach was not far away. The driver had kept
the horses moving slowly up and down by the canal, nearly
all the time the doctor had been in the cottage.

Hans went out also.

“© May God bless you,:mynheer!” he said, blushing and
trembling, “I can never repay you; but if —”

“Yes, you can,” interrupted the doctor, crossly. ‘ You can
use your wits when the patient wakes again. This clack-
ing and snivelling is enough to kill a well man, let alone
one lying on the edge of his grave. If you want your
father to get well, keep ’em quiet.”

So saying, Dr. Boekman, without another word, stalked
off to meet his coach, leaving Hans standing there with
eyes and mouth wide open.

Hilda was reprimanded severely that day for returning
late to school after recess, and for imperfect recitations.