“Now it’s my turn, mother,” cried Dolf, when the bowl was almost empty.

Nelle sat down near Tobias and ate the two pancakes which she had kept for herself, because they were not quite so perfect as the others.  Dolf poured the batter into the frying-pan, but not in a ring, as Nelle did, for his idea was to make a mannikin such as are to be seen in the bakers’ shop windows on the eve of St. Nicholas.  The body and head were soon visible; then came the arms and legs.  Dolf, leaning over his work, carefully guided the spoon, for fear of pouring the mixture too quickly or too slowly.  Suddenly he uttered a proud cry and slid the absurd figure on to Riekje’s plate, but no sooner did it touch the earthenware than it broke in two, and ran into an indistinguishable mass.  He tried again and again, until the mannikin could stand on its legs.  Then he gave him a slice of apple for a head, to make him look more natural.

“My lad,” Tobias said to his son, “in the corner among the shavings you will find an old bottle of schiedam which I brought from Holland, along with three others; they have been drunk, there is only this one left.  Bring it here.”

Dolf obeyed, and Nelle took out some small glasses.  Tobias uncorked the bottle, and filled two of them, one for himself and one for Dolf.  Anyone could see that it was good old schiedam, for Tobias and his son nodded their heads and smacked their lips with pleasure.

“Ah! my daughter,” said Nelle, “it will be a happy day for us all in two years’ time, when a little sabot stands in the hearth filled with carrots and turnips.”

“Yes, Riekje, it will be a happy day for us all,” said Dolf, closing his big hands over hers.

Riekje raised her eyes, in which stood a tear, and said softly: 

“Dolf, it’s a good heart you have.”

He sat down beside her and threw his arm round her waist: 

“I am neither good nor bad, my Riekje, but I love you with all my heart.”

Riekje kissed him.

“Dolf dear, when I think of the past I hardly know how I can still care for life.”

“The past is past, my beloved Riekje,” replied Dolf.

“Ah!  Dolf, dear Dolf, there are times when I think it would almost be better to be up there now, so that I might tell the good Virgin all you have done for me.”

“Riekje, I am sad when you are sad:  you do not wish to make me unhappy about you this evening?”

“No, Dolf dear, I would give my life to save you one moment’s pain.”

“Then show me your beautiful white teeth, Riekje, and turn round and smile at me.”

“As you will, my Dolf, for all my joys and sorrows are yours.  I have only you in the world.”

“Since that is so, Riekje, I wish to be everything to you; your father, your husband, and your child.  Tell me, Riekje, I am your baby, am I not?  There will be two of us to love our mother.”

Riekje took Dolf’s head in her hands, and kissed his cheeks; she paused from time to time as one pauses when drinking sweet liqueur to enjoy the flavor, and then drinks again.  Then she put her lips to his ear and whispered: