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he was looking over his shoulder. And when he
turned round again he saw Stien sitting on her bed
with her hat and coat on. On her lap lay the
handkerchief, and tears were running down her face.
c Did you do that ?' she asked with a sob. He
lowered his eyes. It was very still in the little room,
and outside there was no sound either. * Why did
you do that ? ' she asked, and her voice sounded deep
and sorrowful. e My wages, that my father needed
to pay his rent. Oh, my lad, don't do such wicked
things.5 He couldn't see for tears. Suddenly she
stood in front of him ; she took his head in her arms.
She had to press him tightly to her bosom so that his
sobs shouldn't be heard. c Come,3 she said at last,
and she dipped her handkerchief in the water-jug
and bathed his face. e I've got to catch the tram,
and it's getting late. Walk with me as far as the
Forest.'
In the street she said nothing, but past the Bridge,
when they were alone, she asked : * Was it for the
Fair that you took it ? What would your uncle say
if I told him ? ' He clasped her arm with both
hands and implored her not to do that, otherwise
he'd have to jump into the water, for he wouldn't
be able to bear Uncle Gerbrand's face. Stien
walked on in silence, holding him by the hand as
though he were a small child. At the Deer Park
she stood still under a dark tree, she raised his face
to hers and said : c You must promise me that