148
SAINT NICHOLAS EVE.
"Dolf, you are worth all of us put together."
Suddenly he had fallen on the pavement, but they had carried him near the kitchen fire of an inn, had revived him with gin and looked after him until he felt strong enough to run back to his beloved Riekje.
"Dolf," they now cried.
And when Dolf turned, the old boatman clasped him in his arms and said:
"My dear son, I love you as if you were my own flesh and blood."
The others pressed his hand heartily, saying:
"Dolf, we shall at least have known one really brave fellow before we die."
"As for me, comrades," said Dolf, laughing, "I shall not die before I drink a glass with you to the health of the fine little chap Riekje gave me the other night."
