The neighbours, who had seen Werendonk go out
in the morning, watched him ; it seemed to them
that he had grown slower, gravely absorbed. The
town was still in a state of excitement over the
scandal, for many people in humble circumstances
had lost their small savings, but in that part of the
street where Werendonk's shop was situated little
was said about it. The neighbours knew that here
the heaviest disaster was not the loss of money, but
the loss of honour which had to be borne by a man
of spotless integrity. No one in the neighbourhood
had a doubt as to how he would behave, and Weren-
donk was looked up to with increased respect.
He went to his sister's, and after he had told her
about their journey and the grave, he laid his hand
on her shoulder and said ; c Now for a word be-
tween you and me; it's hard, but it has to be said.
When your husband died, the bankruptcy had not
yet be§n filed, therefore, in the eyes of the world,
he had not been dishonoured while he was alive.
But that makes no difference. He has robbed
others, widows and orphans, and he has sacrificed
more than his own honour. You will not be able
to bear it if your child is pointed at in the town
because of his father's guilt, and you are only a weak
widow, you can do nothing about it We, your
brothers, will take it upon us, and Petronella, too,
can help if her husband agrees. The debts shall
be paid off, no one will be able to say anything