"We will, won't we? We must try . . . to bring ourselves into harmony with her as far as possible. . . ."
"Yes, yes, I will try."
"And all of us."
"Yes, all of us."
"That's so, Gerdy, isn't it? We must all . . ."
"What did you say, Addie?"
"I was saying, Gerdy, if Mathilde comes back, later on . . ."
"Yes . . ."
"Would you be willing to try . . . with all of us, with Papa and Mamma, with every one of us . . . to get into harmony with her as far as possible, so that she . . ."
"Yes, oh, Addie, yes! I'll try!"
"You will?"
"Oh, yes! . . . If she comes back, I'll try, Addie, I'll try."
"My dear, listen to it blowing."
"That's our wind, Mamma."
"Yes, always."
Marietje and Adeletje had now gone into the dining-room; Adeline and Emilie came after them.
"Why is it so dark in there?" asked Marietje.
"Grandmamma's taking a nap."
"We must take her to bed," said Constance.
Adeletje turned up the gas.
"Auntie!" cried Marietje, in alarm.
"What is it, dear?"
"Oh, Auntie, Auntie . . . come here!"
Constance came in, with Addie and Gerdy.
"Is Grandmamma . . . is Grandmamma . . .?" stammered Marietje, aghast.
They all looked at the old woman. She was sitting as usual, sitting quietly in her big chair, with
