329 .Hans Brinker

“It is my turn now, Hans,” said Annie, drawing him aside,
after he had told his mother the good word from Mynheer van
Holp. “ Your skates are sold, and here ’s the money.”

“Seven guilders ! ” cried Hans, counting the pieces in aston-
ishment : “ why, that is three times as much as I paid for
them.”

“I cannot help that,” said Annie. “Ifthe buyer knew no
better, it is not our fault.”

Hans looked up quickly.

“O Annie!”

“‘O Hans!” she mimicked, pursing her lips, and trying to
look desperately wicked and unprincipled.

** Now, Annie, I know you would never mean that! You
must return some of this money.”

“But I’l not do any such thing,” insisted Annie.
“They ’re sold; and that’s the end of it.” Then, seeing that
he looked really pained, she added in a lower tone, —

“Will you believe me, Hans, when I say that there has
been no mistake, that ‘the person who bought your skates
insisted upon paying seven guilders for them?”

“T will,” he answered; andthe light from his clear blue
eyes seemed to settle and sparkle under Annie’s lashes.

Dame Brinker was delighted at the sight of so much silver;
but, when she learned that Hans had parted with his treasures
to obtain it, she sighed as she exclaimed, —

‘¢ Bless thee, child! That will be a sore loss for thee!”

“« Here, mother,” said the boy, plunging his hands far into his
pocket, — “here is more; we shall be rich if we keep on.”

“Ay, indeed,” she answered, eagerly reaching forth her
hand; then, lowering her voice, added, “ We should be rich,
but for that Jan Kamphuisen. He was at the willow-tree
years ago, Hans, depend upon it! ”