pendant hanging to the gold ring in her ear, and the silver ring which she wore on her finger.
"Are you comfortable, Riekje?" asked Nelle, from time to time. "Do your straw-lined sabots keep your feet warm?"
"Yes, maman Nelle, I am as happy as a queen," she answered, smiling.
"As a queen, you say," replied Nelle. "You will be like a queen, soon, my girl, for you are going to eat some of my apple keikebakken. There comes Dolf over the planks, bringing us flour, eggs, and cream; you will have something to say about my pancakes, Riekje."
She opened the door, for a heavy step could be heard on the bridge of the boat.
II.
As a broad-shouldered man, with a frank, smiling face, stepped into the cheerful light of the room, his head almost touched the ceiling.
"There you are, mother!" he cried.
He threw his hat into a corner and began to empty his pockets with great care, placing the paper bags on the table.
"Dolf, I was sure you 'd do it; you 've forgotten the pint of milk," cried maman Nelle when everything was spread out.
Dolf drew back, and made a grimace as if he
