“Well, well, we also must pass through it.  The Dominie Van Linden has gone to examine the records; and then, if she his lawful wife be, in the newspapers I must advertise the marriage.  Much talk and many questions I shall have to bear.”

“‘If,’ ‘if she his lawful wife be!’ Say not ‘if’ in my hearing; say not ‘if’ of my Katherine.”

“When a girl runs away from her home”—­

“With her husband she went; keep that in mind when people speak to thee.”

“What kind of a husband will he be to her?”

“Well, then, I think not bad of him.  Nearer home there are worse men.  Now, if sensible thou be, thou wilt make the best of what is beyond thy power.  Every bird its own nest builds in its own way.  Nay, but blind birds are we all, and God builds for us.  This marriage of God’s ordering may be, though not of thy ordering; and against it I would no longer fight.  I think my Katherine is happy; and happy with her I will be, though the child in her joy I see not.”

“So much talk as there will be.  In the store and the streets, a man must listen.  And some with me will condole, and some with congratulations will come; and both to me will be vinegar and gall.”

“To all—­friends and unfriends—­say this:  ’Every one chooses for themselves.  Captain Hyde loved my daughter, and for her love nearly he died; and my daughter loved him; and what has been from the creation, will be.’  Say also, ’Worse might have come; for he hath a good heart, and in the army he is much loved, and of a very high family is he.’  Joris, let me see thee pluck up thy courage like a man.  Better may come of this than has come of things better looking.  Much we thought of Batavius”—­

“On that subject wilt thou be quiet?”

“And, if at poor little Katherine thou be angry, speak out thy mind to me; to others, say nothing but well of the dear one.  Now, then, I will get thee thy dinner; for in sorrow a good meal is a good medicine.”

[Illustration:  “O mother, my sister Katherine!”]

While they were eating this early dinner, Joanna came in, sad and tearful; and with loud lamentings she threw herself upon her mother’s shoulder.  “What, then, is the matter with thee?” asked Lysbet, with great composure.

“O mother, my Katherine! my sister Katherine!”

“I thought perhaps thou had bad news of Batavius.  Thy sister Katherine hath married a very fine gentleman, and she is happy.  For thou must remember that all the good men do not come from Dordrecht.”

“I am glad that so you take it.  I thought in very great sorrow you would be.”

“See that you do not say such words to any one, Joanna.  Very angry will I be if I hear them.  Batavius, also; he must be quiet on this matter.”

“Oh, then, Batavius has many things of greater moment to think about!  Of Katherine he never approved; and the talk there will be he will not like it.  Before from Boston he comes back, I shall be glad to have it over.”