and they had to go out, to Grandmamma’s, because it was Sunday evening.
“Addie!”
“Go down now, Addie: Mamma’s calling you.”
He went out on the landing:
“Yes, Mamma, what time is it?”
“It’s time to dress.”
“Yes, I’ll get dressed at once, Mamma.”
He became a little man again, while his eyes were still screwed up and red with crying.
He once more embraced his father very tightly:
“Daddy, Daddy, I believe you!”
“My boy, my boy, my boy! Go now, my own boy, go and wash and get dressed; and don’t let Mamma notice anything, will you?”
No, he would not let her see; and he would have a good wash, in cold water, wash his throbbing temples and his smarting eyes.
“Those damned people! Those damned people!” said Van der Welcke, cursing and clenching his fists.
Constance, downstairs, ready dressed, was waiting for them, a little put out because Addie had come home so late, because he had fought with Jaap, because he had refused to eat.
“Here I am, Mamma.”
There was nothing to show what he had been through: he looked fresh and serious in his new blue suit; his voice was soft and propitiatory. Her face lit up at once:
