"I will sing what I please; and, if anybody doesn't want to sing"--he struck himself on the chest, and the whole party was Dutch and enthusiastic over royalty. "Our Prince" was sung lustily, and to a finish.
"Yes, when we were still true Dutchmen----"
"Yes, when we were still true Dutchmen----"
"You all ought to have seen a yacht-race then."
"And why? Because you're all cowardly dogs."
"Whenever a king comes around, or an emperor, or a prince, then all of you are so frightened you tremble like an aspen leaf."
"And true Dutch hearts--what say you, Mrs. Goremest? What do you think, that's a daughter of M'neer----"
The name died on the speaker's lips. He became pale.
"Is that so, Klaas? Really and truly? Why then does she stand there dressed that way--like an ordinary girl?"
"Oh, those clothes came from my Gertie, you know. Rich people have----"
"Come, boys, we must go home now. Mother Goremest needs sleep, too. We are not made of iron; we are flesh and blood."
"Down with the tyrants! We were born free. True Dutch hearts----"
"Sh! The daughter of--but don't say a word. Damme if it isn't so--the daughter of M'neer--Kopperlith!"
"Kopperlith on Keizersgracht? What are you talking about, man! Kopperlith--on Keizersgracht!"
"That's right. You understand it now; but keep quiet about it."
The true Dutch hearts and republicans paid and left the bar.
It was a sudden whim of Klaas Verlaan's to make his ward a child of Keizersgracht; but it brought him in more ducats than he cared to admit afterward.
Kopperlith? Kopperlith? on Keizersgracht? Femke on Keizersgracht! And on the day after to-morrow he was to begin work for this wealthy gentleman.
His head swam. Was he still Walter Pieterse? He doubted it. Before he had quite come to himself, he was forced through the door with other late stragglers. It was time for Mrs. Goremest to close.
The street was comparatively quiet now. Walter remained near the "Herberge," which to him was a sort of temple where his Goddess was being worshiped. Now and then somebody else was pitched out the door, who would have been glad to stay longer. It was not every day that one got an opportunity to see a daughter of M'neer Kopperlith. Some wanted to join the triumvirate of Verlaan, the republican speaker, and Mrs. Goremest; but the three felt themselves strong enough to do the work and share the rewards.