l of
twigs. In summer, when the hedge is green, one cannot see the shop from
here at all. How is your father today?"

"Better, mynheer. He improves every hour."

"It is the most astonishing thing I ever heard of. That gruff old doctor
is a great fellow after all."

"Ah, mynheer," said Hans warmly, "he is more than great. He is good. But
for the meester's kind heart and great skill my poor father would yet be
in the dark. I think, mynheer," he added with kindling eyes, "surgery is
the very noblest science in the world!"

Peter shrugged his shoulders. "Very noble it may be, but not quite to my
taste. This Dr. Boekman certainly has skill. As for his heart--defend me
from such hearts as his!"

"Why do you say so, mynheer?" asked Hans.

Just then a lady slowly entered from an adjoining apartment. It was
Mevrouw van Holp arrayed in the grandest of caps and the longest of
satin aprons ruffled with lace. She nodded placidly as Hans stepped back
from the fire, bowing as well as he knew how.

Peter at once drew a high-backed oaken chair toward the fire, and the
lady seated herself. There was a block of cork on each side of the
chimney place. One of these he placed under his mother's feet.

Hans turned to go.

"Wait a moment, if you please, young man," said the lady. "I
accidentally overheard you and my son speaking, I think, of my friend
Dr. Boekman. You are right, young man. Dr. Boekman has a very kind
heart. You perceive, Peter, that we may be quite mistaken in judging
a person solely by his manners, though a courteous deportment is by no
means to be despised."

"I intended no disrespect, mother," said Peter, "but surely one has
no right to go growling and snarling through the world as they say he
does."

"They say. Ah, Peter, 'they' means everybody or nobody. Surgeon Boekman
has had a great sorrow. Many years ago he lost his only child under
very painful circumstances. A fine lad, except that he was a thought too
hasty and high-spirited. Before then Gerard Boekman was one of the most
agreeable gentlemen I ever knew."

So saying, Mevrouw van Holp, looking kindly upon the two boys, rose, and
left the room with the same dignity with which she had entered.

Peter, only half convinced, muttered something about "the sin of
allowing sorrow to turn all one's honey into gall" as he conducted his
visitor to the narrow side door. Before they parted, he advised Hans
to keep himself in good skating order, "for," he added,