CONTENTS
THEBIRDONITSJOURNEY，BeatriceHarradenKOOSJE：ASTUDYOFDUTCHLIFE，JohnStrangeWinterADOGOFFLANDERS，OuidaMARKHEIM，R。L。StevensonQUEENTITA’SWAGER，WilliamBlackTHEBIRDONITSJOURNEY
BY
BEATRICEHARRADEN
ItwasaboutfourintheafternoonwhenayounggirlcameintothesalonofthelittlehotelatC————inSwitzerland，anddrewherchairuptothefire。
\"Youaresoakedthrough，\"saidanelderlylady，whowasherselftryingtogetroasted。\"Yououghttolosenotimeinchangingyourclothes。\"
\"Ihavenotanythingtochange，\"saidtheyounggirl，laughing。\"Oh，I
shallsoonbedry！\"
\"Haveyoulostallyourluggage？\"askedthelady，sympathetically。
\"No，\"saidtheyounggirl;\"Ihadnonetolose。\"Andshesmiledalittlemischievously，asthoughsheknewbyinstinctthathercompanion’ssympathywouldatoncedegenerateintosuspicion！
\"Idon’tmeantosaythatIhavenotaknapsack，\"sheadded，considerately。\"Ihavewalkedalongdistance——infact，fromZ————。\"
\"Andwheredidyouleaveyourcompanions？\"askedthelady，withatouchofforgivenessinhervoice。
\"Iamwithoutcompanions，justasIamwithoutluggage，\"laughedthegirl。
Andthensheopenedthepiano，andstruckafewnotes。Therewassomethingcaressinginthewayinwhichshetouchedthekeys;whoevershewas，sheknewhowtomakesweetmusic;sadmusic，too，fullofthatundefinablelonging，liketheholdingoutofone’sarmstoone’sfriendsinthehopelessdistance。
Theladybendingoverthefirelookedupatthelittlegirl，andforgotthatshehadbroughtneitherfriendsnorluggagewithher。Shehesitatedforonemoment，andthenshetookthechildishfacebetweenherhandsandkissedit。
\"Thankyou，dear，foryourmusic，\"shesaid，gently。
\"Thepianoisterriblyoutoftune，\"saidthelittlegirl，suddenly;
andsheranoutoftheroom，andcamebackcarryingherknapsack。
\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"askedhercompanion。
\"Iamgoingtotunethepiano，\"thelittlegirlsaid;andshetookatuning-hammeroutofherknapsack，andbeganherworkinrealearnest。
Sheevidentlyknewwhatshewasabout，andpeggedawayatthenotesasthoughherwholelifedependedupontheresult。
Theladybythefirewaslostinamazement。Whocouldshebe？Withoutluggageandwithoutfriends，andwithatuning-hammer！
Meanwhileoneofthegentlemenhadstrolledintothesalon;buthearingthesoundoftuning，andbeinginsecretpossessionofnerves，hefled，saying，\"Thetuner，byJove！\"
AfewminutesafterwardMissBlake，whosenerveswerenosecretpossession，hastenedintothesalon，and，inherusualimperiousfashion，demandedinstantsilence。
\"Ihavejustdone，\"saidthelittlegirl。\"Thepianowassoterriblyoutoftune，Icouldnotresistthetemptation。\"
MissBlake，whoneverlistenedtowhatanyonesaid，tookitforgrantedthatthelittlegirlwasthetunerforwhomM。leProprietairehadpromisedtosend;andhavingbestowedonheracondescendingnod，passedoutintothegarden，whereshetoldsomeofthevisitorsthatthepianohadbeentunedatlast，andthatthetunerwasayoungwomanofrathereccentricappearance。
\"Really，itisquiteabominablehowwomenthrustthemselvesintoeveryprofession，\"sheremarked，inhermasculinevoice。\"Itissounfeminine，sounseemly。\"
TherewasnothingofthefeminineaboutMissBlake;herhorse-clothdress，herwaistcoatandhighcollar，andherbillycockhatwereofthemasculinegenus;evenhernervescouldnotbecalledfeminine，sincewelearnfromtwoorthreedoctors（takenofftheirguard）thatnervesareneitherfemininenormasculine，butcommon。
\"Ishouldliketoseethistuner，\"saidoneofthetennis-players，leaningagainstatree。
\"Hereshecomes，\"saidMissBlake，asthelittlegirlwasseensaunteringintothegarden。
Themenputuptheireye-glasses，andsawalittleladywithachildishfaceandsoftbrownhair，ofstrictlyfeminineappearanceandbearing。Thegoatcametowardherandbegannibblingatherfrock。Sheseemedtounderstandthemannerofgoats，andplayedwithhimtohisheart’scontent。Oneofthetennisplayers，OswaldEverardbyname，strolleddowntothebankwhereshewashavingherfrolic。
\"Good-afternoon，\"hesaid，raisinghiscap。\"Ihopethegoatisnotworryingyou。Poorlittlefellow！thisishislastdayofplay。Heistobekilledto-morrowfor/tabled’hote/。\"
\"Whatashame！\"shesaid。\"Fancytobekilled，andthengrumbledat！\"
\"Thatispreciselywhatwedohere，\"hesaid，laughing。\"Wegrumbleateverythingweeat。AndIowntobeingoneofthegrumpiest;thoughtheladyinthehorse-clothdressyonderfollowscloseuponmyheels。\"
\"ShewastheladywhowasannoyedatmebecauseItunedthepiano，\"
thelittlegirlsaid。\"Still，ithadtobedone。Itwasplainlymyduty。Iseemedtohavecomeforthatpurpose。\"
\"Ithasbeenconfoundedlyannoyinghavingitoutoftune，\"hesaid。
\"I’vehadtogiveupsingingaltogether。Butwhatastrangeprofessionyouhavechosen！Veryunusual，isn’tit？\"
\"Why，surelynot，\"sheanswered，amused。\"Itseemstomethateveryotherwomanhastakentoit。Thewondertomeisthatanyoneeverscoresasuccess。Nowadays，however，noonecouldamassahugefortuneoutofit。\"
\"Noone，indeed！\"repliedOswaldEverard，laughing。\"Whatonearthmadeyoutaketoit？\"
\"Ittooktome，\"shesaidsimply。\"Itwrappedmeroundwithenthusiasm。Icouldthinkofnothingelse。IvowedthatIwouldrisetothetopofmyprofession。Iworkeddayandnight。Butitmeansincessanttoilforyearsifonewantstomakeanyheadway。\"
\"Goodgracious！Ithoughtitwasmerelyamatterofafewmonths，\"hesaid，smilingatthelittlegirl。
\"Afewmonths！\"sherepeated，scornfully。\"Youarespeakingthelanguageofanamateur。No;onehastoworkfaithfullyyearafteryear;tograspthepossibilities，andpassontogreaterpossibilities。Youimaginewhatitmustfeelliketotouchthenotes，andknowthatyouarekeepingthelistenersspellbound;thatyouaretakingthemintoafairy-landofsound，wherepettypersonalityislostinvaguelongingandregret。\"
\"IconfessIhadnotthoughtofitinthatway，\"hesaid，humbly。\"I
haveonlyregardeditasanecessaryevery-dayevil;andtobequitehonestwithyou，Ifailtoseenowhowitcaninspireenthusiasm。I
wishIcouldsee，\"headded，lookingupattheengaginglittlefigurebeforehim。
\"Nevermind，\"shesaid，laughingathisdistress;\"Iforgiveyou。And，afterall，youarenottheonlypersonwholooksuponitasanecessaryevil。Mypooroldguardianabominatedit。Hemademanysacrificestocomeandlistentome。HeknewIlikedtoseehiskindoldface，andthatthepresenceofarealfriendinspiredmewithconfidence。\"
\"Ishouldnothavethoughtitwasnervouswork，\"hesaid。
\"Tryitandsee，\"sheanswered。\"Butsurelyyouspokeofsinging。Areyounotnervouswhenyousing？\"
\"Sometimes，\"hereplied，ratherstiffly。\"Butthatisslightlydifferent。\"（Hewasveryproudofhissinging，andmadeagreatfussaboutit。）\"Yourprofession，asIremarkedbefore，isanunavoidablenuisance。WhenIthinkwhatIhavesufferedfromthegentlemenofyourprofession，IonlywonderthatIhaveanybrainsleft。ButIamuncourteous。\"
\"No，no，\"shesaid;\"letmehearaboutyoursufferings。\"
\"WheneverIhavespeciallywantedtobequiet，\"hesaid——andthenheglancedatherchildishlittleface，andhehesitated。\"Itseemssorudeofme，\"headded。Hewasthesoulofcourtesy，althoughhewasanamateurtenorsinger。
\"Pleasetellme，\"thelittlegirlsaid，inherwinningway。
\"Well，\"hesaid，gatheringhimselftogether，\"itistheonesubjectonwhichIcanbeeloquent。EversinceIcanremember，Ihavebeenworriedandtorturedbythoserascals。Ihavetriedineverywaytoescapefromthem，butthereisnohopeforme。Yes;Ibelievethatallthetunersintheuniverseareinleagueagainstme，andhavemarkedmeoutfortheirspecialprey。\"
\"/Allthewhat/？\"askedthelittlegirl，withajerkinhervoice。
\"Allthetuners，ofcourse，\"hereplied，rathersnappishly。\"Iknowthatwecannotdowithoutthem;butgoodheavens！theyhavenotact，noconsideration，nomercy。WheneverI’vewantedtowriteorreadquietly，thatfatalknockhascomeatthedoor，andI’veknownbyinstinctthatallchanceofpeacewasover。WheneverI’vebeengivingaluncheonparty，thetunerhasarrived，withhisabominableblackbag，andhisabominablecardwhichhastobesignedatonce。OnoneoccasionIwasjustproposingtoagirlinherfather’slibrarywhenthetunerstruckupinthedrawing-room。Ileftoffsuddenly，andfledfromthehouse。Butthereisnoescapefromthesefiends;Ibelievetheyareswarmingaboutintheairlikesomanybacteria。Andhow，inthenameofgoodness，youshoulddeliberatelychoosetobeoneofthem，andshouldbesoenthusiasticoveryourwork，puzzlesmebeyondallwords。Don’tsaythatyoucarryablackbag，andpresentcardswhichhavetobefilledupatthemostinconvenienttime;don’t——\"
Hestoppedsuddenly，forthelittlegirlwasconvulsedwithlaughter。
Shelaugheduntilthetearsrolleddownhercheeks，andthenshedriedhereyesandlaughedagain。
\"Excuseme，\"shesaid;\"Ican’thelpmyself;it’ssofunny。\"
\"Itmaybefunnytoyou，\"hesaid，laughinginspiteofhimself;\"butitisnotfunnytome。\"
\"Ofcourseitisn’t，\"shereplied，makingadesperateefforttobeserious。\"Well，tellmesomethingmoreaboutthesetuners。\"
\"Notanotherword，\"hesaid，gallantly。\"Iamashamedofmyselfasitis。Cometotheendofthegarden，andletmeshowyoutheviewdownintothevalley。\"
Shehadconqueredherfitofmerriment，butherfaceworeasettledlookofmischief，andshewasevidentlythepossessorofsomesecretjoke。Sheseemedincapitalhealthandspirits，andhadsomuchtosaythatwasbrightandinterestingthatOswaldEverardfoundhimselfbecomingreconciledtothewholeraceoftuners。HewasamazedtolearnthatshehadwalkedallthewayfromZ————，andquitealone，too。
\"Oh，Idon’tthinkanythingofthat，\"shesaid;\"Ihadasplendidtime，andIcaughtfourrarebutterflies。Iwouldnothavemissedthoseforanything。Asforthegoingaboutbymyself，thatisasecondnature。Besides，Idonotbelongtoanyone。Thathasitsadvantages，andIsupposeitsdisadvantages;butatpresentIhaveonlydiscoveredtheadvantages。Thedisadvantageswilldiscoverthemselves！\"
\"Ibelieveyouarewhatthenovelscallanadvancedyoungwoman，\"hesaid。\"Perhapsyougivelecturesonwoman’ssuffrage，orsomethingofthatsort？\"
\"Ihaveveryoftenmountedtheplatform，\"sheanswered。\"Infact，Iamneversohappyaswhenaddressinganimmenseaudience。Amostunfemininethingtodo，isn’tit？Whatwouldtheladyyonderinthehorse-clothdressandbillycockhatsay？Don’tyouthinkyououghttogoandhelpherdriveawaythegoat？Shelookssofrightened。Sheinterestsmedeeply。Iwonderwhethershehaswrittenanessayonthefeminineinwoman。Ishouldliketoreadit;itwoulddomesomuchgood。\"
\"Youareatleastatruewoman，\"hesaid，laughing，\"forIseeyoucanbespiteful。Thetuninghasnotdriventhataway。\"
\"Ah，Ihadforgottenaboutthetuning，\"sheanswered，brightly;\"butnowyouremindme，Ihavebeenseizedwithagreatidea。\"
\"Won’tyoutellittome？\"heasked。
\"No，\"sheanswered;\"Ikeepmygreatideasformyself，andworkthemoutinsecret。Andthisoneisparticularlyamusing。WhatfunIshallhave！\"
\"Butwhykeepthefuntoyourself？\"hesaid。\"Weallwanttobeamusedhere;weallwanttobestirredup;alittlefunwouldbeacharity。\"
\"Verywell，sinceyouwishit，youshallbestirredup，\"sheanswered;
\"butyoumustgivemetimetoworkoutmygreatidea。Idonothurryaboutthings，notevenaboutmyprofessionalduties;forIhaveastrongfeelingthatitisvulgartobealwaysamassingriches！AsI
haveneitherahusbandnorabrothertosupport，Ihavechosenlesswealth，andmoreleisuretoenjoyallthelovelinessoflife！SoyouseeItakemytimeabouteverything。Andto-morrowIshallcatchbutterfliesatmyleisure，andlieamongthedearoldpines，andworkatmygreatidea。\"
\"Ishallcatchbutterflies，\"saidhercompanion;\"andItooshalllieamongthedearoldpines。\"
\"Justasyouplease，\"shesaid;andatthatmomentthe/tabled’hote/
bellrang。
Thelittlegirlhastenedtothebureau，andspokerapidlyinGermantothecashier。
\"/Ach，Fraulein/！\"hesaid。\"Youarenotreallyserious？\"
\"Yes，Iam，\"shesaid。\"Idon’twantthemtoknowmyname。Itwillonlyworryme。SayIamtheyoungladywhotunedthepiano。\"
ShehadscarcelygiventhesedirectionsandmountedtoherroomwhenOswaldEverard，whowasmuchinterestedinhismysteriouscompanion，cametothebureau，andaskedforthenameofthelittlelady。
\"/EsistdasFrauleinwelchesdasPianogestimmthat/，\"answeredtheman，returningwithunusualquicknesstohisaccount-book。
Noonespoketothelittlegirlat/tabled’hote/，butforallthatsheenjoyedherdinner，andgaveherseriousattentiontoallthecourses。Beingthussolidlyoccupied，shehadnotmuchleisuretobestowontheconversationoftheotherguests。Norwasitspeciallyoriginal;ittreatedoftheshort-comingsofthechef，thetastelessnessofthesoup，thetoughnessofthebeef，andallthemanyfailingswhichgotocompleteamountainhoteldinner。Butsuddenly，soitseemedtothelittlegirl，thistime-honouredtalkpassedintoanotherphase;sheheardtheword\"music\"mentioned，andshebecameatonceinterestedtolearnwhatthesepeoplehadtosayonasubjectwhichwasdearertoherthananyother。
\"Formyownpart，\"saidastern-lookingoldman，\"Ihavenowordstodescribewhatagraciouscomfortmusichasbeentomeallmylife。Itisthenoblestlanguagewhichmanmayunderstandandspeak。AndI
sometimesthinkthatthosewhoknowit，orknowsomethingofit，areableatraremomentstofindananswertolife’sperplexingproblems。\"
Thelittlegirllookedupfromherplate。RobertBrowning’swordsrosetoherlips，butshedidnotgivethemutterance：
GodhasafewofuswhomHewhispersintheear;
Therestmayreason，andwelcome;’tiswemusiciansknow。
\"Ihavelivedthroughalonglife，\"saidanotherelderlyman，\"andhavethereforehadmyshareoftrouble;butthegriefofbeingobligedtogiveupmusicwasthegriefwhichheldmelongest，orwhichperhapshasneverleftme。Istillcraveforthegraciouspleasureoftouchingoncemorethestringsofthevioloncello，andhearingthedear，tendervoicesingingandthrobbing，andansweringeventosuchpoorskillasmine。Istillyearntotakemypartinconcertedmusic，andbeoneofthoseprivilegedtoplayBeethoven’sstring-quartettes。Butthatwillhavetobeinanotherincarnation，Ithink。\"
Heglancedathisshrunkenarm，andthen，asthoughashamedofthisallusiontohisownpersonalinfirmity，headdedhastily：
\"Butwhenthefirstpangofsuchapainisover，thereremainsthecomfortofbeingalistener。Atfirstonedoesnotthinkitisacomfort;butastimegoesonthereisnoresistingitsmagicinfluence。AndLowellsaidrightlythat’oneofGod’sgreatcharitiesismusic。’\"
\"Ididnotknowyouweremusical，Mr。Keith，\"saidanEnglishlady。
\"Youhaveneverbeforespokenofmusic。\"
\"Perhapsnot，madam，\"heanswered。\"Onedoesnotoftenspeakofwhatonecaresformostofall。ButwhenIaminLondonIrarelymisshearingourbestplayers。\"
Atthispointothersjoinedin，andthevariousmeritsofeminentpianistswerewarmlydiscussed。
\"WhatawonderfulnamethatlittleEnglishladyhasmadeforherself！\"
saidthemajor，whowasconsideredanauthorityonallsubjects。I
wouldgoanywheretohearMissThyraFlowerdew。Wealloughttobeveryproudofher。ShehastakeneventheGermanmusicalworldbystorm，andtheysayherrecitalsatParishavebeenbrilliantlysuccessful。ImyselfhaveheardheratNewYork，Leipsic，London，Berlin，andevenChicago。\"
Thelittlegirlstirreduneasilyinherchair。
\"Idon’tthinkMissFlowerdewhaseverbeentoChicago，\"shesaid。
Therewasadeadsilence。TheadmirerofMissThyraFlowerdewlookedmuchannoyed，andtwiddledhiswatch-chain。Hehadmeanttosay\"Philadelphia，\"buthedidnotthinkitnecessarytoowntohismistake。
\"Whatimpertinence！\"saidoneoftheladiestoMissBlake。\"Whatcansheknowaboutit？Isshenottheyoungpersonwhotunedthepiano？\"
\"PerhapsshetunesMissThyraFlowerdew’spiano！\"suggestedMissBlake，inaloudwhisper。
\"Youareright，madam，\"saidthelittlegirl，quietly。\"IhaveoftentunedMissFlowerdew’spiano。\"
Therewasanotherembarrassingsilence;andthenalovelyoldlady，whomeveryonereverenced，cametotherescue。
\"Ithinkherplayingissimplysuperb，\"shesaid。\"NothingthatIeverhearsatisfiesmesoentirely。Shehasallthetendernessofanangel’stouch。\"
\"Listeningtoher，\"saidthemajor，whohadnowrecoveredfromhisannoyanceatbeinginterrupted，\"onebecomesunconsciousofherpresence，forshe/isthemusicitself/。Andthatisrare。Itisbutseldomnowadaysthatweareallowedtoforgetthepersonalityoftheplayer。Andyetherpersonalityisanunusualone;havingonceseenher，itwouldnotbeeasytoforgether。Ishouldrecogniseheranywhere。\"
Ashespoke，heglancedatthelittletuner，andcouldnothelpadmiringherdignifiedcomposureundercircumstanceswhichmighthavebeendistressingtoanyone;andwhensherosewiththeothershefollowedher，andsaidstiffly：
\"IregretthatIwastheindirectcauseofputtingyouinanawkwardposition。\"
\"Itisreallyofnoconsequence，\"shesaid，brightly。\"IfyouthinkI
wasimpertinent，Iaskyourforgiveness。Ididnotmeantobeofficious。ThewordswerespokenbeforeIwasawareofthem。\"
Shepassedintothesalon，whereshefoundaquietcornerforherself，andreadsomeofthenewspapers。Noonetooktheslightestnoticeofher;notawordwasspokentoher;butwhensherelievedthecompanyofherpresenceherimpertinencewascommentedon。
\"IamsorrythatsheheardwhatIsaid，\"remarkedMissBlake;\"butshedidnotseemtomind。Theseyoungwomenwhogooutintotheworldlosetheedgeoftheirsensitivenessandfemininity。Ihavealwaysobservedthat。\"
\"Howmuchtheyaresparedthen！\"answeredsomeone。
Meanwhilethelittlegirlsleptsoundly。Shehadmerrydreams，andfinallywokeuplaughing。Shehurriedoverherbreakfast，andthenstoodreadytogoforabutterflyhunt。Shelookedthoroughlyhappy，andevidentlyhadfound，andwasholdingtightly，thekeytolife’senjoyment。
OswaldEverardwaswaitingonthebalcony，andheremindedherthatheintendedtogowithher。
\"Comealongthen，\"sheanswered;\"wemustnotloseamoment。\"
Theycaughtbutterflies;theypickedflowers;theyran;theylingeredbythewayside;theysang;theyclimbed，andhemarvelledathereasyspeed。Nothingseemedtotireher，andeverythingseemedtodelighther——theflowers，thebirds，theclouds，thegrasses，andthefragranceofthepinewoods。
\"Isitnotgoodtolive？\"shecried。\"Isitnotsplendidtotakeinthescentedair？Drawinasmanylongbreathsasyoucan。Isn’titgood？Don’tyoufeelnowasthoughyouwerereadytomovemountains？I
do。WhatadearoldnurseNatureis！Howshepetsus，andgivesusthebestofhertreasures！\"
HerhappinessinvadedOswaldEverard’ssoul，andhefeltlikeaschool-boyoncemore，rejoicinginafinedayandhisliberty，withnothingtospoilthefreshnessoftheair，andnothingtothreatenthefreedomofthemoment。
\"Isitnotgoodtolive？\"hecried。\"Yes，indeeditis，ifweknowhowtoenjoy。\"
Theyhadcomeuponsomehaymakers，andthelittlegirlhasteneduptohelpthem，laughingandtalkingtothewomen，andhelpingthemtopileupthehayontheshouldersofabroad-backedman，whothenconveyedhisburdentoapear-shapedstack。OswaldEverardwatchedhiscompanionforamoment，andthen，quiteforgettinghisdignityasanamateurtenorsinger，hetoolenthisaid，anddidnotleaveoffuntilhiscompanionsankexhaustedontheground。
\"Oh，\"shelaughed，\"whatdelightfulworkforaveryshorttime！Comealong;letusgointothatbrownchatletyonderandaskforsomemilk。
Iamsimplyparchedwiththirst。Thankyou，butIprefertocarrymyownflowers。\"
\"Whatanindependentlittleladyyouare！\"hesaid。
\"Itisquitenecessaryinourprofession，Icanassureyou，\"shesaid，withatoneofmischiefinhervoice。\"Thatremindsmethatmyprofessionisevidentlynotlookeduponwithanyfavourbythevisitorsatthehotel。IamheartbrokentothinkthatIhavenotwontheesteemofthatladyinthebillycockhat。Whatwillshesaytoyouforcomingoutwithme？Andwhatwillshesayofmeforallowingyoutocome？Iwonderwhethershewillsay，’Howunfeminine！’IwishI
couldhearher！\"
\"Idon’tsupposeyoucare，\"hesaid。\"Youseemtobeawildlittlebird。\"
\"Idon’tcarewhatapersonofthatdescriptionsays，\"repliedhiscompanion。
\"Whatonearthmadeyoucontradictthemajoratdinnerlastnight？\"heasked。\"Iwasnotatthetable，butsomeonetoldmeoftheincident;
andIfeltverysorryaboutit。WhatcouldyouknowofMissThyraFlowerdew？\"
\"Well，consideringthatsheisinmyprofession，ofcourseIknowsomethingabouther，\"saidthelittlegirl。
\"Confounditall！\"hesaid，ratherrudely。\"Surelythereissomedifferencebetweenthebellows-blowerandtheorganist。\"
\"Absolutelynone，\"sheanswered;\"merelyavariationoftheoriginaltheme！\"
Asshespokesheknockedatthedoorofthechalet，andaskedtheolddametogivethemsomemilk。Theysatinthe/Stube/，andthelittlegirllookedabout，andadmiredthespinning-wheelandthequaintchairsandthequeeroldjugsandthepicturesonthewalls。
\"Ah，butyoushallseetheotherroom，\"theoldpeasantwomansaid;
andsheledthemintoasmallapartmentwhichwasevidentlyintendedforastudy。Itboreevidencesofunusualtasteandcare，andonecouldseethatsomelovinghandhadbeentryingtomakeitarealsanctumofrefinement。Therewasevenasmallpiano。Acarvedbook-
rackwasfastenedtothewall。
Theolddamedidnotspeakatfirst;shegavehergueststimetorecoverfromtheastonishmentwhichshefelttheymustbeexperiencing;thenshepointedproudlytothepiano。
\"Iboughtthatformydaughters，\"shesaid，withastrangemixtureofsadnessandtriumph。\"Iwantedtokeepthemathomewithme，andI
savedandsaved，andgotenoughmoneytobuythepiano。Theyhadalwayswantedtohaveone，andIthoughttheywouldthenstaywithme。
Theylikedmusicandbooks，andIknewtheywouldbegladtohavearoomoftheirownwheretheymightreadandplayandstudy;andsoI
gavethemthiscorner。\"
\"Well，mother，\"askedthelittlegirl，\"andwherearetheythisafternoon？\"
\"Ah，\"sheansweredsadly，\"theydidnotcaretostay;butitwasnaturalenough，andIwasfoolishtogrieve。Besides，theycometoseeme。\"
\"Andthentheyplaytoyou？\"askedthelittlegirl，gently。
\"Theysaythepianoisoutoftune，\"theolddamesaid。\"Idon’tknow。
Perhapsyoucantell。\"
Thelittlegirlsatdowntothepiano，andstruckafewchords。
\"Yes，\"shesaid;\"itisbadlyoutoftune。Givemethetuning-hammer。
Iamsorry，\"sheadded，smilingatOswaldEverard，\"butIcannotneglectmyduty。Don’twaitforme。\"
\"Iwillwaitforyou，\"hesaid，sullenly;andhewentintothebalconyandsmokedhispipe，andtriedtopossesshissoulinpatience。
Whenshehadfaithfullydoneherworksheplayedafewsimplemelodies，suchassheknewtheoldwomanwouldloveandunderstand;
andsheturnedawaywhenshesawthatthelistener’seyesweremoist。
\"Playonceagain，\"theoldwomanwhispered。\"Iamdreamingofbeautifulthings。\"
Sothelittletunertouchedthekeysagainwithallthetendernessofanangel。
\"Tellyourdaughters，\"shesaid，assherosetosaygood-bye，\"thatthepianoisnowingoodtune。Thentheywillplaytoyouthenexttimetheycome。\"
\"Ishallalwaysrememberyou，mademoiselle，\"theoldwomansaid;and，almostunconsciously，shetookthechildishfaceandkissedit。
OswaldEverardwaswaitinginthehay-fieldforhiscompanion;andwhensheapologisedtohimforthislittleprofessionalintermezzo，asshecalledit，herecoveredfromhissulkinessandreadjustedhisnerves，whichthenoiseofthetuninghadsomewhatdisturbed。
\"Itwasverygoodofyoutotunetheolddame’spiano，\"hesaid，lookingatherwithrenewedinterest。
\"Someonehadtodoit，ofcourse，\"sheanswered，brightly，\"andIamgladthechancefelltome。Whatacomfortitistothinkthatthenexttimethosedaughterscometoseehertheywillplaytoherandmakeherveryhappy！Poorolddear！\"
\"Youpuzzlemegreatly，\"hesaid。\"Icannotforthelifeofmethinkwhatmadeyouchooseyourcalling。Youmusthavemanygifts;anyonewhotalkswithyoumustseethatatonce。Andyouplayquitenicely，too。\"
\"Iamsorrythatmyprofessionsticksinyourthroat，\"sheanswered。
\"DobethankfulthatIamnothingworsethanatuner。ForImightbesomethingworse——asnob，forinstance。\"
And，sospeaking，shedashedafterabutterfly，andlefthimtorecoverfromherwords。Hewasconsciousofhavingdeservedareproof;
andwhenatlastheovertookherhesaidasmuch，andaskedforherkindindulgence。
\"Iforgiveyou，\"shesaid，laughing。\"YouandIarenotlookingatthingsfromthesamepointofview;butwehavehadasplendidmorningtogether，andIhaveenjoyedeveryminuteofit。Andto-morrowIgoonmyway。\"
\"Andto-morrowyougo，\"herepeated。\"Canitnotbethedayafterto-morrow？\"
\"Iamabirdofpassage，\"shesaid，shakingherhead。\"Youmustnotseektodetainme。Ihavetakenmyrest，andoffIgotootherclimes。\"
Theyhadarrivedatthehotel，andOswaldEverardsawnomoreofhiscompanionuntiltheevening，whenshecamedownratherlatefor/tabled’hote/。Shehurriedoverherdinnerandwentintothesalon。Sheclosedthedoor，andsatdowntothepiano，andlingeredtherewithouttouchingthekeys;onceortwicesheraisedherhands，andthensheletthemrestonthenotes，and，halfunconsciously，theybegantomoveandmakesweetmusic;andthentheydriftedintoSchumann’s\"Abendlied，\"andthenthelittlegirlplayedsomeofhis\"Kinderscenen，\"andsomeofhis\"FantasieStucke，\"andsomeofhissongs。
Hertouchandfeelingwereexquisite，andherphrasingbetrayedthetruemusician。Thestrainsofmusicreachedthedining-room，and，onebyone，theguestscamecreepingin，movedbythemusicandanxioustoseethemusician。
Thelittlegirldidnotlookup;shewasinaSchumannmoodthatevening，andonlytheplayersofSchumannknowwhatenthrallingpossessionhetakesoftheirveryspirit。Allthepassionandpathosandwildnessandlonginghadfoundaninspiredinterpreter;andthosewholistenedtoherwereheldbythemagicwhichwasherownsecret，andwhichhadwonforhersuchhonourascomesonlytothefew。SheunderstoodSchumann’smusic，andwasatherbestwithhim。
Hadshe，perhaps，chosentoplayhismusicthiseveningbecauseshewishedtobeatherbest？Orwasshemerelybeingimpelledbyanoverwhelmingforcewithinher？Perhapsitwassomethingofboth。
Wasshewishingtohumiliatethesepeoplewhohadreceivedhersocoldly？Thislittlegirlwasonlyhuman;perhapstherewassomethingofthatfeelingtoo。Whocantell？ButsheplayedasshehadneverplayedinLondon，orParis，orBerlin，orNewYork，orPhiladelphia。
Atlastshearrivedatthe\"Carnaval，\"andthosewhoheardherdeclaredafterwardthattheyhadneverlistenedtoamoremagnificentrendering。Thetendernesswassorestrained;thevigourwassorefined。Whenthelastnotesofthatspirited\"MarchedesDavidsbundlercontrelesPhilistins\"haddiedaway，sheglancedatOswaldEverard，whowasstandingnearheralmostdazed。
\"Andnowmyfavouritepieceofall，\"shesaid;andsheatoncebeganthe\"SecondNovelette，\"thefinestoftheeight，butseldomplayedinpublic。
Whatcanonesayofthewildrushoftheleadingtheme，andthepatheticlongingoftheintermezzo？……Themurmuringdyingnotes，Thatfallassoftassnowonthesea;
andThepassionatestrainthat，deeplygoing，Refinesthebosomittremblesthrough。
Whatcanonesayofthosevagueaspirationsandfinestthoughtswhichpossesstheverydullestamonguswhensuchmusicasthatwhichthelittlegirlhadchosencatchesusandkeepsus，ifonlyforapassingmoment，butthatmomentoftherarestworthandlovelinessinourunlovelylives？
Whatcanonesayofthehighestmusicexceptthat，likedeath，itisthegreatleveller：itgathersusalltoitstenderkeeping——andwerest。
Thelittlegirlceasedplaying。Therewasnotasoundtobeheard;themagicwasstillholdingherlisteners。Whenatlasttheyhadfreedthemselveswithasigh，theypressedforwardtogreether。
\"Thereisonlyonepersonwhocanplaylikethat，\"criedthemajor，withsuddeninspiration——\"sheisMissThyraFlowerdew。\"
Thelittlegirlsmiled。
\"Thatismyname，\"shesaid，simply;andsheslippedoutoftheroom。
Thenextmorning，atanearlyhour，thebirdofpassagetookherflightonward，butshewasnotdestinedtogooffunobserved。OswaldEverardsawthelittlefigureswingingalongtheroad，andsheovertookher。
\"Youlittlewildbird！\"hesaid。\"Andsothiswasyourgreatidea——tohaveyourfunoutofusall，andthenplaytousandmakeusfeelI
don’tknowhow，andthentogo。\"
\"Yousaidthecompanywantedstirringup，\"sheanswered，\"andIratherfancyIhavestirredthemup。\"
\"Andwhatdoyousupposeyouhavedoneforme？\"heasked。
\"IhopeIhaveprovedtoyouthatthebellows-blowerandtheorganistaresometimesidentical，\"sheanswered。
Butheshookhishead。
\"Littlewildbird，\"hesaid，\"youhavegivenmeagreatidea，andI
willtellyouwhatitis：/totameyou/。Sogood-byeforthepresent。\"
\"Good-bye，\"shesaid。\"Butwildbirdsarenotsoeasilytamed。\"
Thenshewavedherhandoverherhead，andwentonherwaysinging。
KOOSJE：ASTUDYOFDUTCHLIFE
byJOHNSTRANGEWINTER
HernamewasKoosjevanKampen，andshelivedinUtrecht，thatmostquaintofquaintcities，theVeniceoftheNorth。
AllherlifehadbeenpassedundertheshadowofthegrandoldDomKerk;shehadplayedbo-peepbehindthecolumnsandarcadesoftheruined，moss-growncloisters;hadslippedupandfallendownthestepsleadingtothe/grachts/;hadonceortwice，inthisveryearlylife，beenfishedoutofthosesameslimy，stagnantwaters;hadwanderedunderthegreatlindensintheBaan，andgazedcuriouslyupatthestork’snestinthetreebytheVeterinarySchool;hadpatteredaboutthehollow-soundingstreetsinhernoisywooden/klompen/;haddancedandlaughed，hadquarrelledandwept，andfoughtandmadefriendsagain，tothetuneofthesilverchimeshighupintheDom——chimesthatweresometimesold/Nederlandsche/hymns，sometimesMendelssohn’smelodiesandtender\"LiederohneWorte。\"
Butthatwaseversolongago，andnowshehadleftherrompingchildhoodbehindher，andhadbecomeamaid-servant——averydignifiedandaristocraticmaid-servantindeed——withnolessasumthaneightpoundstenayearinwages。
Shelivedinthehouseofaprofessor，whodweltontheMunsterKerkhoff，oneofthemostaristocraticpartsofthatwonderfullyaristocraticcity;andonceortwiceeveryweekyoumighthaveseenher，ifyouhadbeentheretosee，busilyengagedinwashingtheredtileandblueslatepathwayinfrontoftheprofessor’shouse。Youwouldhaveseenthatshewasverypleasanttolookat，thisKoosje，verycomelyandclean，whethershehappenedtobeverybusy，orwhetherithadbeenSunday，and，withherverybestgownon，shewasoutforapromenadeintheBaan，afterdulygoingtoserviceasregularlyastheSabbathdawnedinthegrandoldGothicchoirofthecathedral。
Duringtheweeksheworealwaysthesamecostumeasdoeseveryotherservantinthecountry：askirtofblackstuff，shortenoughtoshowapairofveryneat-setandwell-turnedankles，cladinclothshoesandknittedstockingsthatshowednowrinkles;overtheskirtabodiceandakirtleoflilac，madewithaneatlygatheredfrillingaboutherroundbrownthroat;abovethefrillingfiveorsixrowsofunpolishedgarnetbeadsfastenedbyamassiveclaspofgoldfiligree，andonherheadaspotlesswhitecaptiedwithaneatbowunderherchin——asneat，letmetellyou，asanEnglishman’stieataparty。
ButitwasonSundaythatKoosjeshoneforthinallthegloryofablackgownandherjewellery——withgreatear-ringstomatchtheclaspofhernecklace，andaheavychainandcrosstomatchthatagain，andoneortworings;whileonherheadsheworeanimmensecap，muchtoobigtoputabonnetover，thoughforwalkingshewasmostparticulartohavegloves。
Then，indeed，shewasayoungpersontobetreatedwithrespect，andwithrespectshewasundoubtedlytreated。Asshepassedalongthequaint，resoundingstreets，manyaheadwasturnedtolookafterher;
butKoosjewentonherwaylikethestaidmaidenshewas，dulyimpressedwiththefactthatshewasprincipalservantofProfessorvanDijck，themostcelebratedauthorityonthestudyofosteologyinEurope。SoKoosjeneverheededthelooks，turnedherheadneithertotherightnortotheleft，butwentsedatelyonherbusinessorpleasure，whicheverithappenedtobe。
Itwasnotlikelythatsuchatreasurecouldremainlongunnoticedandunsoughtafter。ServantsintheNetherlands，Ihear，arenotsogoodbutthattheymightbebetter;andmostpeopleknewwhatatreasureProfessorvanDijckhadinhisKoosje。However，astheprofessorconscientiouslyraisedherwagesfromtimetotime，Koosjeneverthoughtofleavinghim。
Butthereisonebribenowomancanresist——thebribethatisofferedbylove。AsProfessorvanDijckhadexpectedandfeared，thatbribeerelongwasheldouttoKoosje，andKoosjewastooweaktoresistit。
Notthathewishedhertodoso。Ifthegirlhadachanceofsettlingwellandhappilyforlife，hewouldbethelasttodreamofthrowinganyobstacleinherway。Hehadcometobeanoldmanhimself;helivedallalone，saveforhisservants，inagreat，ramblinghouse，whosehugeapartmentswereallsetoutwithhorribleanatomicalpreparationsandgrislyskeletons;and，thoughthestatelypassageswerepavedwithwhitemarble，andledintoroomswhichwouldeasilyhaveaccommodatedcrowdsofguests，hewentintonosocietysavethatofsavantsasoldandfossil-likeashimself;inotherwords，hewasanoldbachelorwholivedentirelyforhisprofessionandthestudyofthegreatmastersbytheinterpretationofagenuineoldStradivari。
Yettheoldprofessorhadamemory;herecalledthetimewhenhehadbeenyoungwhonowwasold——thetimewhenhisheartwasagooddealmoretender，hisbloodagreatdealwarmer，andhisfancyverymuchmoreeasilystirredthannowadays。Therewasadead-and-goneromancewhichhadbrokenhisheart，sentimentallyspeaking——aromancelongsincecrumbledintodust，whichhadsenthimforcomfortintothestudyofosteologyandthemusicoftheStradivari;yetthememorythereofmadehimconsiderablymorelenienttoKoosje’sweaknessthanKoosjeherselfhadeverexpectedtofindhim。
Notthatshehadintendedtotellhimatfirst;shewasonlythreeandtwenty，and，thoughJanvanderWeldewasasfineafellowascouldbeseeninUtrecht，andhadgoodwagesandsomethingputby，Koosjewasbynomeansinclinedtorushheadlongintomatrimonywithunduehurry。
Itwasmorepleasanttoliveintheprofessor’sgoodhouse，tohavedelightfulwalksarminarmwithJanunderthetreesintheBaanorroundtheSingels，partingunderthestarswithmanyalingeringwordandpromisetomeetagain。Itwasduringoneofthoseverypartingsthattheprofessorsuddenlybecameaware，ashewalkedplacidlyhome，ofthechangethathadcomeintoKoosje’slife。
However，Koosjetoldhimblushinglythatshedidnotwishtoleavehimjustatpresent;sohedidnottroublehimselfaboutthematter。Hewasawiseman，thisoldauthorityonosteology，andquotedoftentimes，\"Sufficientuntothedayistheevilthereof。\"
Sothecourtshipspedsmoothlyon，seemingforoncetocontradictthetruthoftheoldsaying，\"Thecourseoftrueloveneverdidrunsmooth。\"Thecourseoftheirlovedid，ofatruth，runmarvellouslysmoothindeed。Koosje，ifatriflecoy，waspleasantandsweet;Janasfineafellowaseverwaitedroundacorneronacoldwinternight。Sobrightlythehappydaysslippedby，whensuddenlyachangewaseffectedintheprofessor’shouseholdwhichmade，asamatterofcourse，somewhatofachangeinKoosje’slife。Itcameaboutinthiswise。
Koosjehadbeenonanerrandfortheprofessor，——onethathadkeptheroutofdoorssometime，——andithappenedthatthenightwasbitterlycold;thecold，indeed，wasfearful。TheairhadthatdamprawnesssonoticeableinDutchclimate，athickmistoverhungthecity，andadrizzlingraincamedownwithasteadypersistencesuchasquicklysoakedthroughthestoutestandthickestgarments。Thestreetswerewell-nighempty。Thegreatthoroughfare，theOudeGracht，wasalmostdeserted，andasKoosjehurriedalongtheMeinerbroederstraat——forshehadasecondcommissionthere——shedrewhergreatshawlmoretightlyroundher，mutteringcrossly，\"Whatweather！yesterdaysowarm，to-daysocold。’Tisenoughtogiveonethefever。\"
Shedeliveredhermessage，andranonthroughOudeKerkhoffasfastasherfeetcouldcarryher，when，justassheturnedthecornerintotheDomplein，afiercegustofwind，accompaniedbyablindingshowerofrain，assailedher;herfootcaughtagainstsomethingsoftandheavy，andshefell。
\"Blessus！\"sheejaculated，blankly。\"Whatfoolhasleftabundleoutonthepathonsuchanight？Pitchdark，withhalfthelampsout，andrainandmistenoughtoblindone。\"
Shegatheredherselfup，rubbingelbowsandkneesvigorously，castingthewhiledarkglancesattheobnoxiousbundlewhichhadcausedthedisaster。Justthenthewindwaslulled，thelampcloseathandgaveoutasteadylight，whichsheditsraysthroughthefoguponKoosjeandthebundle，fromwhich，tothegirl’shorroranddismay，cameafaintmoan。Quicklyshedrewnearer，whensheperceivedthatwhatshehadbelievedtobeabundlewasindeedawoman，apparentlyinthelaststageofexhaustion。
Koosjetriedtolifther;butthedead-weightwasbeyondher，youngandstrongasshewas。Thentherainandthewindcameonagaininfiercerguststhanbefore;thewoman’smoansgrewlouderandlouder，andwhattodoKoosjeknewnot。
Shestruggledonforthefewstepsthatlaybetweenherandtheprofessor’shouse，andthensherangapealwhichresoundedthroughtheechoingpassages，bringingDortje，theothermaid，runningout;
afterthemannerofherclass，imaginingallsortsofterriblecatastropheshadhappened。SheutteredacryofreliefwhensheperceiveditwasonlyKoosje，who，withoutvouchsafinganyexplanation，dashedpastherandranstraightintotheprofessor’sroom。
\"Oprofessor！\"shegaspedout;but，betweenhereffortstoremovethewoman，herstrugglewiththeelements，andherracedownthepassage，herbreathwasutterlygone。
Theprofessorlookedupfromhisbookandhistea-trayinsurprise。
ForamomenthethoughtthatKoosje，hisdomestictreasure，hadaltogethertakenleaveofhersenses;forshewasstreamingwithwater，coveredwithmud，andheadandcapwereinastateofdisorder，suchasneitherhenoranyoneelsehadeverseentheminsincethelasttimeshehadbeenfishedoutoftheNieuweGracht。
\"Whatisthematter，Koosje？\"heasked，regardinghergravelyoverhisspectacles。
\"There’sawomanoutside——dying，\"shepanted，\"Ifelloverher。\"
\"Youhadbettertrytogetherinthen，\"theoldgentlemansaid，inquitearelievedtone。\"YouandDortjemustbringherin。Dear，dear，poorsoul！butitisadreadfulnight。\"
Theoldgentlemanshiveredashespoke，anddrewalittlenearertothetallwhiteporcelainstove。
Itwas，ashehadsaidaminutebefore，aterriblenight。Hecouldhearthewindbeatingaboutthehouseandrattlingaboutthecasementsandmoaningdownthechimneys;andtothinkanypoorsoulshouldbeoutonsuchanight，/dying/！Heavenpreserveotherswhomightbebelatedorhouselessinanypartoftheworld！
Hefellintoafitofabstraction，——ahabitnotuncommonwithlearnedmen，——wonderingwhylifeshouldbesodifferentwithdifferentpeople;
whyheshouldbeinthatwarm，handsomeroom，withitssoftrichhangingsandcarpet，withitsbeautifulfurnitureofcarvedwood，itspictures，andtherarechinascatteredhereandthereamongthegrimarrayofskeletonswhichwerehisdelight。HewonderedwhyheshouldtakehisteaoutofcostlyandvaluableOrientalchina，sugarandcreamoutofantiquesilver，whileotherpoorsoulshadnoteaatall，andnothingtotakeitoutofeveniftheyhad。Hewonderedwhyheshouldhavealampunderhisteapotthatwasaverymarvelofarttransparencies;whyheshouldhaveeveryluxury，andthispoorcreatureshouldbedyinginthestreetamidthewindandtherain。Itwasallveryunequal。
Itwasveryodd，theprofessorargued，leaninghisbackagainstthetall，warmstove;itwasveryoddindeed。Hebegantofeelthat，grandasthestudyofosteologyundoubtedlyis，heoughtnottopermitittobecomesoengrossingastoblindhimtothestudyofthegreaterphilosophiesoflife。Hisreveriewas，however，brokenbytheabruptreentranceofKoosje，whothistimewasatriflelessbreathlessthanshehadbeenbefore。
\"Wehavegotherintothekitchen，professor，\"sheannounced。\"Sheisachild——amerebaby，andsopretty！Shehasopenedhereyesandspoken。\"
\"Givehersomesoupandwine——hot，\"saidtheprofessor，withoutstirring。
\"Butwon’tyoucome？\"sheasked。
Theprofessorhesitated;hehatedattendingincasesofillness，thoughhewasaproperlyqualifieddoctorandinanemergencywouldlayhisprejudiceaside。
\"OrshallIrunacrossforthegoodDr。Smit？\"Koosjeasked。\"Hewouldcomeinaminute，onlyitis/such/anight！\"
Atthatmomentafiercergustthanbeforerattledatthecasements，andtheprofessorlaidasidehisscruples。
Hefollowedhishousekeeperdownthechilly，marble-flaggedpassageintothekitchen，whereheneverwentformonthstogether——acoseyenough，pleasantplace，withadeepvalancehangingfromthemantel-
shelf，withmanygreatcopperpans，brightandshiningasnewgold，andfurnitureallscrubbedtothewhitenessofsnow。
Inanarm-chairbeforetheopenedstovesattherescuedgirl——aslight，golden-hairedthing，withwistfulblueeyesandafrightenedair。Everymomentshecaughtherbreathinahalf-hystericalsob，whileviolentshiversshookherfromheadtofoot。
Theprofessorwentandlookedatheroverhisspectacles，asifshehadbeensomecuriousspecimenofhisfavouritestudy;butatthesametimehekeptatarespectfuldistancefromher。
\"Givehersomesoupandwine，\"hesaid，atlength，puttinghishandsunderthetailsofhislongdressing-gownoffloweredcashmere。\"Somesoupandwine——hot;andputhertobed。\"
\"Isshethentoremainforthenight？\"Koosjeasked，alittlesurprised。
\"Oh，don’tsendmeaway！\"thegolden-hairedgirlbrokeout，inavoicethatwaspositivelyawail，andclaspingapairofpretty，slenderhandsinpiteoussupplication。
\"Wheredoyoucomefrom？\"theoldgentlemanasked，muchasifheexpectedshemightsuddenlyjumpupandbitehim。
\"FromBeijerland，mynheer，\"sheanswered，withasob。
\"So！Koosje，sheisremarkablywelldressed，isshenot？\"theprofessorsaid，glancingatthecostlylacehead-gear，theheavygoldhead-piece，whichlayonthetabletogetherwiththegreatgoldspiralornamentsandfiligreependants——adazzlingheadofrichness。Helooked，too，atthegirl’swhitehands，attherich，crape-ladengown，attheirdelicatebeauty，andshowerofwavinggoldenhair，which，releasedfromtheconfinementofthecapandhead-piece，floatedinarichmassofglitteringbeautyoverthepillowswhichhisservanthadplacedbeneathherhead。
Theprofessorwasold;theprofessorwaswhollygivenuptohisprofession，whichhejokinglycalledhissweetheart;and，thoughhecuthalfofhisacquaintancesinthestreetthroughinattentionandtheshortnessofhissight，hehadeyesinhishead，anduponoccasionscouldusethem。Hethereforerepeatedthequestion。
\"Verywelldressedindeed，professor，\"returnedKoosje，promptly。
\"AndwhatareyoudoinginUtrecht——insuchaplightasthis，too？\"heasked，stillkeepingatasafedistance。
\"Omynheer，Iamallaloneintheworld，\"sheanswered，herbluemistyeyesfilledwithtears。\"Ihadamonthagoadear，good，kindfather，buthehasdied，andIamindeeddesolate。Ialwaysbelievedhimrich，andtothesethings，\"withagesturethatincludedherdressandtheornamentsonthetable，\"Ihaveeverbeenaccustomed。ThusIorderedwithoutconsiderationsuchclothesasIthoughtneedful。AndthenI
foundtherewasnothingforme——notahundredguilderstocallmyownwhenallwaspaid。\"
\"ButwhatbroughtyoutoUtrecht？\"
\"Hesentmehere，mynheer。Inhislastillness，onlyofthreedays’
duration，hebademegatheralltogetherandcometothiscity，whereIwastoaskforaMevrouwBaake，hiscousin。\"
\"MevrouwBaake，oftheSigarenFabrijk，\"saidDortje，inanaside，totheothers。\"IlivedservantwithherbeforeIcamehere。\"
\"Ihadheardverylittleabouther，onlymyfatherhadsometimesmentionedhiscousintome;theyhadoncebeenbetrothed，\"thestrangercontinued。\"ButwhenIreachedUtrechtIfoundshewasdead——
twoyearsdead;butwehadneverheardofit。\"
\"Dear，dear，dear！\"exclaimedtheprofessor，pityingly。\"Well，youhadbetterletKoosjeputyoutobed，andwewillseewhatcanbedoneforyouinthemorning。\"
\"AmItomakeupabed？\"Koosjeasked，followinghimalongthepassage。
Theprofessorwheeledroundandfacedher。
\"Shehadbettersleepintheguestroom，\"hesaid，thoughtfully，regardlessofthecoldwhichstrucktohisslipperedfeetfromthemarblefloor。\"Thatistheonlyroomwhichdoesnotcontainspecimensthatwouldprobablyfrightenthepoorchild。Iamverymuchafraid，Koosje，\"heconcluded，doubtfully，\"thatsheisalady;andwhatwearetodowithaladyIcan’tthink。\"
Withthattheoldgentlemanshuffledofftohiscoseyroom，andKoosjeturnedbacktoherkitchen。
\"He’llneverthinkofmarryingher，\"musedKoosje，ratherblankly。Ifshehadspokenthethoughtstotheprofessorhimself，shewouldhavereceivedaveryemphaticassurancethat，muchasthestudyofosteologyandtheStradivarihadblindedhimtotheaffairsofthisworkadayworld，hewasnotyetsothoroughlyfoolishastojoinhisfossilisedwisdomtotheignoranceofachildofsixteenorseventeen。
However，onthemorrowmattersassumedasomewhatdifferentaspect。
GertrudevanFlooteprovedtobenotexactlyagentlewoman。Itistruethatherfatherhadbeenawell-to-domanforhisstationinlife，andhadverymuchspoiledandindulgedhisonemotherlesschild。Yethereducationwassoslightthatshecoulddolittlemorethanreadandwrite，besidesspeakingalittleEnglish，whichshehadpickedupfromtheyachtsmenfrequentinghernativetown。TheprofessorfoundshehadbeenbutadistantrelativeoftheMevrouwBaake，toseekwhomshehadcometoUtrecht，andthatshehadnokinsfolkuponwhomshecoulddepend——afactwhichaccountedfortheprofusionofherjewellery，allhergoldentrinketshavingdescendedtoherasheirlooms。
\"Icanbeyourservant，mynheer，\"shesuggested。\"Indeed，Iamaveryusefulgirl，asyouwillfindifyouwillbuttryme。\"
Now，asarule，theprofessorvigorouslysethisfaceagainstadmittingyoungservantsintohishouse。Theybrokehischina，theydisarrangedhisbones，theymeddledwithhispapers，andmadegeneralhavoc。So，intruth，hewasnotverywillingtohaveGertrudevanFlooteasapermanentmemberofhishousehold，andhesaidso。
ButKoosjehadtakenafancytothegirl;andhavinganeyetoherowndepartureatnoverydistantdate，——forshehadbeenbetrothedmorethantwoyears，——shepleadedsohardtokeepher，promisingtotrainherinalltheprofessor’sways，toteachherthevalueofoldchinaandosteologicspecimens，thateventually，withagooddealofgrumbling，theoldgentlemangaveway，and，beingawiseaswellasanoldgentleman，wentbacktohisstudies，dismissingKoosjeandthegirlalikefromhisthoughts。
JustatfirstTruide，poorchild，wascharmed。
Sheputawayhersplendidornaments，andsomelilacfrocksandblackskirtswerepurchasedforher。Herbox，whichshehadleftatthestation，suppliedallthatwasnecessaryforSunday。
Itwasgreatfun！Forawholeweekthisyoungpersondancedabouttheramblingoldhouse，playingatbeingaservant。Thenshebegantogrowalittlewearyofitall。Shehadbeenaccustomed，ofcourse，toperformingsuchofficesasallDutchladiesfulfil——thecareofchina，oflinen，thedustingofrooms，andthelike;butshehaddonethemasamistress，notasanunderling。Andthatwasnottheworst;itwaswhenitcametoherprettyfeethavingtobethrustintoklompen，andherhavingtotakeapailandsyringeandmopandcleanthewindowsandthepathwayandthefrontofthehouse，thatthegameofmaid-