could see, just for a moment,
his mother and Gretel. He did not know how the anxiety of both looked
out from his eyes, and how, more than once, the gruffest denials were
uttered with an uncomfortable consciousness that the lad ought not be
turned away. Certain fathers, when they went home that night, spoke more
kindly than usual to their youngsters, from memory of a frank, young
face saddened at their words, and before morning one man actually
resolved that he would instruct his head man Blankert to set the boy
from Broek at something if he should come in again.

But Hans knew nothing of all this. Toward sundown he started on his
return to Broek, uncertain whether the strange, choking sensation in his
throat arose from discouragement or resolution. There was certainly one
more chance. Mynheer van Holp might have returned by this time. Master
Peter, it was reported, had gone to Haarlem the night before to attend
to something connected with the great skating race. Still, Hans would go
and try.

Fortunately Peter had returned early that morning. He was at home when
Hans reached there and was just about starting for the Brinker cottage.

"Ah, Hans!" he cried as the weary boy approached the door. "You are the
very one I wished to see. You are the very one I wished to see. Come in
and warm yourself."

After tugging at his well-worn hat, which always WOULD stick to his head
when he was embarrassed, Hans knelt down, not by way of making a new
style of oriental salute, nor to worship the goddess of cleanliness who
presided there, but because his heavy shoes would have filled the soul
of a Broek housewife with horror. When their owner stepped softly into
the house, they were left outside to act as sentinels until his return.

Hans left the Van Holp mansion with a lightened heart. Peter had brought
word from Haarlem that young Brinker was to commence working upon the
summer-house doors immediately. There was a comfortable workshop on the
place and it was to be at his service until the carving was done.

Peter did not tell him that he had skated all the way to Haarlem for the
purpose of arranging this plan with Mynheer van Holp. It was enough for
him to see the glad, eager look rise on young Brinker's face.

"I THINK I can do it," said Hans, "though I have never learned the
trade."

"I am SURE you can," responded Peter heartily. "You will find every tool
you require in the workshop. It is nearly hidden yonder by that wal