When the maid opened the door of the room he heard the voices of the children, and also that of the father. He even heard laughter; but when he walked in all became as still as death. The two children at the table stood like soldiers. There was something so comical in their attitude that Walter could have laughed at them if he hadn't been so embarrassed. Even the girl had a touch of official earnestness in her face more striking than he had seen it in older people, even at church. While the doctor was welcoming Walter and offering him a chair, the boy stood with hands clapped down on the seams of his trousers as if he expected someone to say, "Right about--face!" or, "Forward, column right, march!"
The larger boy in the corner had only looked up once, but with that peculiarly hostile expression which distinguishes man from other animals--to the disadvantage of the former. It is noticeable especially in children--sometimes in women.
"I'm glad to see you, my boy. It was nice of you to come. What have you there?"--then he turned to the little soldiers.
"Remind me afterward to tell you at dinner something about Olivier van Noort. William, you can think of it, can't you?"
Walter squinted at his Lady Macbeth, and was so embarrassed that he was helpless to present it to the doctor. The room was so magnificent; and the furnishings--the big cases full of books! His picture seemed so common and ugly that, if he could have done so, he would have swallowed it.
At home they had taught him how he must stand and sit and speak; and now he stood there, as awkward as a cow, stammering and stuttering. Making a supreme effort he managed to get it out that he had "come to thank the doctor" for his recovery--"but God first"!
The two soldiers bit their lips; and even the doctor found it difficult to keep a straight face.
"God first! Well said, my boy. Have you already thanked God?"
"Yes, M'nheer, every evening in bed, and yesterday at church."
Little Sietske unable to control herself any longer had to laugh outright. Her laughter threatened to become contagious. William was busier than usual with his nose; Hermann had come to life and was eyeing Walter slyly.
"Order!" thundered the doctor, giving the table a rap with a ruler that made the globe tremble. Walter was frightened. "Order! This is a nice caper during study-hours."