er was still improving. He had
been sitting up nearly all day and was now sleeping as Dame Brinker
declared, "Just as quiet as a lamb."

"It is my turn now, Hans," said Annie, drawing him aside after he had
told his mother the good word from Mynheer van Holp. "Your skates are
sold, and here's the money."

"Seven guilders!" cried Hans, counting the pieces in astonishment. "Why,
that is three times as much as I paid for them."

"I cannot help that," said Annie. "If the buyer knew no better, that is
not our fault."

Hans looked up quickly.

"Oh, Annie!"

"Oh, Hans!" she mimicked, pursing her lips, and trying to look
desperately wicked and unprincipled.

"Now, Annie, I know you would never mean that! You must return some of
this money."

"But I'll not do any such thing," insisted Annie. "They're sold, and
that's an end of it." Then, seeing that he looked really pained, she
added in a lower tone, "Will you believe me, Hans, when I say that there
has been no mistake, that the person who bought your skates INSISTED
upon paying seven guilders for them?"

"I will," he answered, and the light from his clear blue eyes seemed to
settle and sparkle under Annie's lashes.

Dame Brinker was delighted at the sight of so much silver, but when she
learned that Hans had parted with his treasures to obtain it, she sighed
and then exclaimed, "Bless thee, child! That will be a sore loss for
thee!"

"Here, Mother," said the boy, plunging his hands far into his pocket,
"here is more--we shall be rich if we keep on!"

"Aye, indeed," she answered, eagerly reaching forth her hand. Then,
lowering her voice, added, "We SHOULD be rich but for that Jan
Kamphuisen. He was at the willow tree years ago, Hans. Depend upon it!"

"Indeed, it seems likely," sighed Hans. "Well, Mother, we must give up
the money bravely. It is certainly gone. The father has told us all he
knows. Let us think no more about it."

"That's easy saying, Hans. I shall try, but it's hard and my poor man
wanting so many comforts. Bless me! How girls fly about! They were here
but this instant. Where did they run to?"

"They slipped behind the cottage," said Hans, "like enough to hide from
us. Hist! I'll catch them for you! They both can move quicker and softer
than yonder rabbit, but I'll give them a good start first."

"Why, there IS a rabbit, sure enough. Hold, Hans, the poor thing
must have been in sore need to venture from its burrow in this bitter
weather. I'