pale and thin. Suddenly, she sat down, straight up in a chair:
"I feel so faint!" she murmured.
Louise went to her:
"What's the matter, Frances?"
"I feel so faint!" she said, almost inaudibly.
She was as white as a sheet.
"Give me some eau-de-Cologne . . ."
"What's the matter with you now?" cried Otto, in despair.
"Baboe," said Louise, "get some vinegar; mevrouw's fainting."
"No," moaned Frances, "vinegar . . . stains . . . one's . . . things . . . Mind . . . my . . . dress. Eau . . . de . . . Cologne."
Louise dabbed her forehead.
"Don't ruffle my hair!" screamed Frances. "Oh dear, oh dear!" she moaned, the next second.
She rested her head against Louise:
"Louise!"
"What is it, Frances?"
"I haven't been nice to you . . . I'm going to die."
"No, no, you're not."
"Yes, I am . . . Huigje! Ottelientje! Mamma's going to die."
Otto took the children out of the room.
"Leave them with me!" she moaned. "I'm dying! . . ."