"Heaven and earth! What are they up to now," groaned the mother. "Laurens, is that you?"
Walter peeped in, "It was me." The result was that he was soon in the midst of the interesting conversation that he had been trying to hear from above.
His entrance took place under unfavorable circumstances. He was blamed for not having been undressed.
"Do you always put on your nightcap before you undress?" cried the mother.
The boy had actually forgotten to take off his nightcap. He was so ashamed that he felt he would like to fall through the floor. He would rather have neglected anything else.
Alas, our hero looked more ridiculous than anyone could look by simply putting on a nightcap. He had armed himself with an old rusty knife that his father had used in prehistoric times for cutting leather!
During the whole of the Laps recital, which progressed so slowly, he had thought and hoped and intended--yes, he heard something that sounded like, "Where is Walter?" The speaker really did not say it--no, on the contrary, those were the very words she wished to avoid--still, he thought he heard her say them. On this Friday he had acted mean and cowardly; but he was still Walter.
Murderers? Thieves? A lady in danger? What other answer could there be but: "I am here, I, Walter!"
Oh, fate, why did you put that sword in his hand and let him forget to remove that nightcap? Why didn't you divide these two absurdities between Stoffel and Walter! Or why couldn't you put that feathery diadem on the head of the sleeping Laurens? It would have been all the same to him how he looked in his sleep.
And I am, too. Towards Femke his chivalry had remained in the background; and now it must burst forth at a doubtful call from Juffrouw Laps!
In his anger he threw the weapon down violently and allowed it to rebound across the room. He slapped the nightcap on the table.
No one would have thought that the little man could be so vehement. His mother, with her usual solicitousness, inquired into the condition of his mind, asking if he was only cracked, or downright crazy.
"I tell you," said the visitor, "you ought not to worry that child so much."
"Why can't you let the child stay here? But--oh, yes! I was going to tell you about my potatoes."