advised me to go to Addie . . . and talk to him about Marietje. Perhaps one day, when he comes to the Hague, he might see Marietje. . . . Do you think he could be persuaded to, Constance?"
"Certainly, Adolphine. Of course he will, gladly."
"I hear such good accounts of him . . . as a doctor."
"Yes, he is getting a very big practice."
"And making a lot of money. . . ."
"Well, not so very much, I believe."
"Ah, perhaps he's right, as a young doctor, to be reasonable in his charges! . . . You see, Constance, that . . . that's really why I came down."
"You were quite right, Adolphine. Addie will be home presently and then you can talk to him yourself. . . . Poor Marietje: I'm sorry she's so ill. How old is she now?"
"Twenty-six."
"I remember: she's a year younger than Addie."
"Who would have thought, Constance, that you would come and live here . . . with Mamma . . . and Adeline . . . and the children? . . . But Mamma always liked you best. I should have been glad to have Mamma with me . . . but it's better as it is; our house is so tiny. . . . Does Addie come to the Hague often? Would he be able to treat Marietje regularly?"
"He would go specially."
"He hypnotizes, doesn't he?"
"Very often, I believe."
"Do you like that?"
"Addie often gets very remarkable results."
"I don't very much fancy it. I shouldn't like him to hypnotize Marietje. But, if it's essential . . ."
The gong sounded.
"Is that for lunch?"
