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on his arms. c Are you asleep ? * he asked. He
wouldn't have been surprised, for Gerbrand went
to bed late, rose early, and he knew he was not sleep-
ing well at night. He shook him by the shoulder ;
his head dropped on one side, his face was grey and
he was dribbling at the mouth. Frans went at once
to fetch water, and Stien, who was still sitting read-
ing, came back with him. He had to rouse their
neighbour, Wouters, for he could not carry his
brother upstairs alone.
Jansje stayed late in the evenings, because there
was so much to do. c You ought to get someone
else,' she said, her head shaking, c Pm no good any
more.* But Werendonk wouldn't have anyone else
in the shop or to sit by his bedside. It was she who
had to bring him his food and milk and attend to
his room. After a day or two Stien noticed that
she had grown quiet and sometimes stared in front
of her with fear in her eyes ; once before she had
asked what was the matter with her, but Jansje
had answered curtly : c Go on with your singing.'
But one morning, when Stien found her in the
kitchen with her apron to her eyes, she suddenly
burst into tears and opened her heart. 61 know
he's only wandering, but I can't bear to hear it,
it's so terrible : ** Chastise me, chastise me/* he
keeps saying in a voice that pierces your very soul.
" He has made my flesh old, he has broken my
bones." And then again, whimpering like a child :