308 Hans Brinker

XXXIX
GLIMPSES

NNIE BOUMAN had a healthy distaste for Jan-
zoon Kolp. Janzoon Kolp, in his own rough way,
adored Annie. Annie declared she could not, “to save her
life,’ say. one civil word to that odious boy. Janzoon
believed her to be the sweetest, sauciest creature in the
world. Annie laughed among her playmates at the com-
ical flapping of Janzoon’s tattered and dingy jacket: he
sighed in solitude over the floating grace of her jaunty
blue petticoat. She thanked her stars that her brothers
were not like the Kolps; and he growled at his sister be-
cause she was not like the Boumans. They seemed to
exchange natures whenever they met. His presence made
her harsh and unfeeling; and the very sight of her made
him gentle as a lamb. Of course, they were thrown to-
gether very often. It is thus, that, in some mysterious
way, we are convinced of error, and cured of prejudice.
In this case, however, the scheme failed. Annie detested
Janzoon more and more at each encounter; and Janzoon
liked her better and better every day.
“ He killed a stork, the wicked old wretch!” she would
say to herself.
“She knows I am strong and_ fearless,” thought Jan-
zoon.