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knows where he sleeps, and the winter not far off.
And what's to become of you ? You're tormented
with anxiety, your misery is written on your face,
and you're not so fit as you used to be to bear so
much. It only means walking over to Meerenberg,
they'll fetch him away and take him there. Not till
that's done will there be the peace in this house
that you've a right to in your old age.'
He shook his head in disapproval. c He is just as
right in the head as you or I,' he said, looking straight
in front of him, c but he's being heavily tried. The
sins of his ancestors are rending his mind, and I am
waiting and praying that grace may come to him
to bring him the light and redeem him. It's the
struggle within : I went through it, too, when I was
^his age. And God knows, for a man who thinks,
that struggle is never really over.3 Jansje stood up
and sighed. Putting her hands on the table and
bending right over him, she said : c Then you must
have it your own way, man, I have warned you.
But remember what the end of his father was.
There is some sin that can only be cleansed by blood,
I don't need to tell you that. Your own father
wouldn't have been drowned if he hadn't had sin
on the brain, don't forget that. Now I must go
home again. Good-night, Werendonk.'
She fetched her basket and her shawl and went
down the steps out into the darkness.
Werendonk stood up and laid the Bible on the