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himself. c I'm sure he means it/ she said, * he suffers
'.terribly because he is sinful, and he has always
struggled so hard against it, I know that better
than anyone.' She would have liked to go to the
Hague to find him, but she couldn't stay away from
her place so long and, in any case, she didn't know
where to go, for the only address he had given was
the post office. c You're a good girl,' said Weren-
donk, * but now you must help me to get him back.5
He went with her to her mistress's house, the last
one in Little Houtweg, and as they walked under
their umbrellas they discussed what ought to be
done. They came to a stand under the tree where
Floris had always waited and continued their talk,
and, seeing the tears well up in her eyes, he said :
* Once we can get him back then I'll have a talk
with your father.* Warner's boy, who was coining
along with the baker's cart, looked at them in
amazement, Werendonk walked back slowly, gaz-
ing with a smile at the green and yellow foliage from
which big raindrops were dripping.
In the afternoon he came back again and talked
to her in the passage. The money would have to
be sent from her. Every day he visited her there,
until her mistress sent a message to say that he might
talk to her in the ante-room. Then he would walk
for a while in the Forest and when he got home,he
said he had enjoyed the walk under the trees, with
the wind and the fresh smell, he hadn't even noticed