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arms on his chest. The window-panes were frosted
over, and on the Gracht the trees were stiff with
the first frost. In the Market Square, still deserted
at this hour, it was easier to see how heavily laden
the sky was, lowering dark over the snow-covered
roofs : one could feel the oppression of it.
His sister lived in one of the houses of the gentry
in Kruisstraat. His brothers seemed to be proud
of the fact that she had married into a higher class,
but Gerbrand considered the distinction negligible
between earning one's bread behind a counter and
at an office desk, and actually he didn't like the
idea that Agnete, the daughter of a humble shop-
keeper, should be addressed as Mrs. Berkenrode.
But that was the custom. If you lived in Great
Houtstraat you expected to be called " Mr." ; if
you lived in Gierstraat, you made no pretensions
to a title before your surname ; yet you might both
sell tobacco, the only difference being in the amount
of money in the till. And this branch of the Berken-
rodes had always held their heads very high,
particularly when plenty of money was flowing into
their coffers.
The wide front-door, with its scrolls and gleaming
paint, stood open, the maid had just taken in the
bread from the baker. * Yes/ she said, c all is well,
Werendonk, the nurse says that the mistress has had
a good night. The master isn't up yet, I'm to give
the key to the cashier/