386 Hans Brinker

not mean what you say. It is great and noble, not ugly!
Pardon me, mynheer. It is not for me to speak so boldly.”

Dr. Boekman was evidently displeased. He turned his
back on the boy, and conferred aside with Laurens. Mean-
while the dame scowled a terrible warning at Hans. These
great people, she knew well enough, never like to hear poor
folk speak up so pert.

The meester turned around. ;

“© Flow old are you, Hans Brinker ? ”

‘‘ Fifteen, mynheer,” was the startled reply.

“© Would you like to become a physician ?.”

“¢ Yes, mynheer,” answered Hans, quivering with excite-
ment. ,

“Would you be willing, with your parents’ consent, to
devote yourself to study, to go to the University, and, in time,
be a student in my office?”

“ YES, mynheer.”

“You would not grow restless, think you, and change
your mind just as I had set my heart upon preparing you to
be my successor ? ”

Hans’ eyes flashed.

“No, mynheer! I would not change.”

“You may believe him there,” cried the dame, who could
remain quiet no longer. Hans is like a rock, when once he
decides; and as for study, mynheer, the child has almost
grown fast to his books, of late. He can jumble off Latin
already, like any priest.”

The doctor smiled. “ Well, Hans, I see nothing to
prevent us from carrying out this plan, if your father agrees.”

“ Ahem!” said Raff, too proud of his boy to be very
meek, ‘The fact is, mynheer, I prefer an active, out-of-