384 Hans Brinker

who had fled from his country in such magnificent trouble,
sitting by the fire just as pleasant and natural as could be !

To be sure, his voice had trembled when he talked with
her parents; and he had met his father’s look with a bright
kind of smile that would have suited a dragon-killer bringing
the waters of perpetual youth to his king; but, after all, he
wasn’t at all like the conquered hero in Annie’s book. He
did not say, lifting his hand toward heaven, “ I hereby swear
to be forever faithful to my home, my God, and my country,”
which would have been only right and proper under the
circumstances.

All things considered, Gretel was disappointed. Raff, how-
ever, was perfectly satisfied. “The message was delivered ;
Dr. Boekman had his son safe and sound; and the poor lad
had done nothing sinful, after all, except in thinking his father
would have abandoned him for an accident. To be sure, the
graceful stripling had become rather a heavy man. Raff had
unconsciously hoped to clasp that same boyish hand again ;
but all things were changed to Raff, for that matter. So he
pushed back every feeling but joy, as he saw father and son
sitting side by side at his hearthstone. Meantime Hans was
wholly occupied in the thought of Thomas Higgs’ happiness
in being able to be the meester’s assistant again; and Dame
Brinker was sighing softly to herself, wishing that the lad’s
mother were alive to see him, — such a fine young gentleman
as he was, — and wondering how Dr. Boekman could bear to
see the silver watch getting so dull. He had worn it ever
since Raff handed it over, that was evident. What had he
done with the gold one he used to wear?

The light was shining full upon Dr. Boekman’s face.
How contented he looked! how much younger and brighter