"We are eternally grateful,"

said Duert ter Brandt.

"I'll set about seeing everyone concerned."

Hoofdzuster came in then, followed by a ward maid with a tray of coffee, and

Doctor ter Brandt suggested with a gentle authority which no one would have dreamt of querying that he and Sister might have a little chat while Rose and Christina sat apart.

"There must be an awful lot you want to know," he concluded kindly to Rose. He was a dear, mused Rose, going to sit by Christina, and she, who had taught herself not to be envious because it was such a waste of time, was envious of Christina. To be loved like that; for no reason at all Mr. Werdmer ter Sane's face rose before her eyes and she shied away from it.

"What will Mr. Werdmer ter Sane say?" she asked before she could stop herself.

"He'll agree," said Christina instantly. He had agreed on the previous evening when he had gone to The Hague to dine with them, indeed, more than that, he had suggested it in the first place.

"He thinks very highly of you as a nurse. Rose. And so do we. I'm so glad you'll come.

Now I'll tell you something of where we live. "

Which took some time; Hoofdzuster went away presently and then the ter Brandts, and Rose was on her own again with the sleeping child. Little Duert woke presently and they embarked together on the childish games which delighted him.

The week slid away, the weather got warmer, little Duert became increasingly active and Mr. Werdmer ter Sane paid him frequent visits, coolly polite to Rose, merely enquiring if she was content with the details she had been given by Christina and bearing a message from Dr. ter Brandt that he had arranged everything satisfactorily. It only remained for her to write to Aunt Millicent explaining the situation and a.s.suring her that she was perfectly content to remain for as long as was required.

Aunt Millicent wrote back by return; a sensible, no-nonsense letter pointing out that Rose should take full advantage of her stay in Holland and whenever possible see all that there was to see. Moreover, she should be thankful that she had been trained in a profession which was doing some good in the world. This rather tart missive ended with the hope that Rose would pay a visit as soon as possible when she returned to England for both she and Maggie were missing her. It made no mention of the letter which Aunt Millicent had received from Mr. Werdmer ter Sane, explaining Rose's extended stay in his country, and pointing out that it was largely due to her devoted care that his small patient had recovered. Aunt Millicent had read the letter several times and become quite thoughtful over it.

When the time came Rose was quite sorry to leave the hospital; she had made some friends there in her limited free time, she had liked the Hoofdzuster and she got on well with Wim. She had even begun to have a limited knowledge of Amsterdam, exploring rather gingerly on her short evening walks. Now she would have to begin all over again in The Hague, but that might be fun for Christina had told her that it was a charming place with a great deal to see, near the sea and with some splendid shops.

"And heaven knows you haven't had a chance to buy so much as a newspaper," she had declared.

"I promise you that just as soon as we are organised at home you shall have your lost free time made up to you."

Dr. ter Brandt came to fetch them, explaining in his quiet way that Christina had chosen that very day to start the baby.

"It won't be just yet," he added, 'and nothing would do but that I should collect you as we had arranged. I would have asked Sybren to bring you but he's in Brussels for a couple of days. "

So Rose wasted no time in getting her patient into the car with all his bits and pieces, together with her case, and then she got in beside him.

"How long does it take to get to The Hague?" she asked anxiously.

"It's forty miles more or less. About thirty minutes on the motorway."

They did it in twenty-nine and Rose guessed that under Dr. ter Brandt's calm he was on edge to get home just as fast as he could. All the same, when they arrived at the substantial mansion on the outskirts of The Hague he took time to introduce the short stout man as Corvinus his butler and told her that he would a.s.sist her in any way he could, before he asked a quick question in his own language. Apparently the answer was satisfactory for the doctor carried his small son indoors and upstairs, bidding Rose follow. The staircase was wide and led to a gallery above, lined with doors and with several pa.s.sages leading from it. A door was flung open as they reached the head of the stairs and a small plump figure bounced out.

"Nanny," said Dr. ter Brandt.

"Forgive me, Rose, but I must go to my wife."

This left her smiling uncertainly at Nanny with little Duert, crowing with delight in her arms.

Nanny smiled back. She said something in Dutch and held out a hand and Rose proffered her own, rather awkwardly because of little Duert. Then she handed the little boy over to the other woman and was rewarded by her sudden smile.

"I'll fetch the things in," said Rose, and trotted off downstairs again to find Corvinus making his way across the hall, burdened by all the impedimenta they had brought from the hospital.

He gravely refused help.

"And if you will come with me," he begged her, to her great relief speaking a quite tolerable English, "I will show you the nursery and your room. I understand that Nanny will be looking after the baby. Little Duert is in the night nursery and your room is next to it."

"The baby?" asked Rose quickly.

"Very shortly, nurse. So my wife tells me. She is the housekeeper here. She is English and her name is Sally and I'm sure she will be glad to help you in any way."

Rose beamed at him, feeling at home.

"Nanny doesn't speak English?"

"No, nurse. She is from Friesland. But she is a most friendly person and very glad that you will be here to look after little Duert while she helps Mevrouw with the baby."

She followed him across the hall and up the staircase then across the wide landing and into a pa.s.sage leading from it. There were three doors, and he opened the middle one.

"Your room, Nurse. As soon as Sally is free she will come to welcome you. We are at the moment rather-- rather..."

"At sixes and sevens?" asked Rose helpfully and was rewarded by his ready smile.

"Don't bother about me, I'll unpack and then go and see Nanny."

Unpacking didn't take long; she tidied her person, explored her charming room and the splendid bathroom leading from it, took a look at the nursery and went through the pa.s.sage to the landing once more.

Nanny had come out of a door on the other side of it; Rose tapped and hearing a voice answer went inside. Little Duert was sitting in his high chair, playing with the teddy bear which went everywhere with him, and Nanny was getting ready for the baby. They smiled at each other and Rose dropped a kiss on the little boy's cheek, wondering how on earth they were to communicate.

It wasn't difficult after all; Sally came into the room, she was a plump little woman, her round face beaming.

"Just fancy. Nurse, Mevrouw ter Brandt has just had a little girl. Ever so quick and the doctor was just in time." Her eyes fell on little Duert.

"And here's our dear boy back home. My goodness, what a happy day. Now if you like to tell me how you would like things arranged I'll see to it.

Nanny can't speak a word of English, but she's a dear soiil; we're all very pleased to have you here, I can tell you, knowing how you've nursed him well again. I dare say the doctor will be along presently to talk to you. I'll send up some coffee and whatever you want for little Duert. " She paused for breath and Rose said, " You're awfully kind, I do hope I shall't make any extra work. " "Lor, no. Nurse, there's enough of us and to spare." She trotted away and Rose went to look at the little boy. He seemed perfectly happy and had settled down just as though he had never been away from home. He would have dinner shortly and then have his nap, just as he had in the hospital; Mr. Werdmer ter Sane had made it very clear that he was to be kept quiet, but she saw no difficulty there; he was as placid as his father.

She was piling bricks for him, hoping that Nanny, sitting and knitting at the table, wouldn't be jealous, when Dr. ter Brandt came in. He had a bottle under his arm and three gla.s.ses in his hand.

"A daughter," he told them, 'a darling little girl who will be as beautiful as Chrissy. They're both asleep. Rose. I'm so sorry that you should arrive into such a disorganised household. Will you drink the baby's health--and Chrissy's, and forgive us? "

He turned to speak to Nanny who chuckled and shook his hand and embarked on quite a speech. When she had finished Rose said, "Oh, that's marvelous news. Is your wife all right?"

"Wonderfully so." He smiled at her and she found herself wishing that some day a man would look like that about her.

"Champagne, Rose..."

He picked up little Duert in one great, arm.

"You have a very small sister, if she's anything like your mother, she'll twist us all round her thumb."

The three of them drank their champagne before Dr. ter Brandt said, "Now as to your days, Rose..."

He had it all worked out, telling her first and then explaining to Nanny in Fries.

"Nanny doesn't mind in the least if you share the nursery; she will look after the baby and leave you to deal with little Duert; get him out of doors as much as you can and check his progress. Chrissy will be about in a day or so, and once she is, we both want you to have a day to yourself. We've grossly overworked you and intend to put that right." And when Rose murmured politely, he said, "I'm going to take this young man to see his mother and sister; if you'll give him his dinner when we get back while Nanny has hers, she'll keep an eye on his rest while we have lunch. "

Later with little Duert fed and already asleep in his cot with Nanny keeping an eye on him, Rose went downstairs for her lunch, a meal she took with Dr. ter Brandt.

"Christina's still sleeping he explained, 'when she wakes I'm sure that she will want to see you and show you our daughter."

He glanced at her briefly.

"I've phoned Sybren--he's delighted. He'll be back in a day or so; he'll be keeping an eye on Duert for another week or so. You're quite happy about the boy?"

Rose said that yes she was, and savoured the chocolate mousse Corvinus had served her.

"And we thought," went on Dr. ter Brandt smoothly, 'that you might like a free day on Sat.u.r.day. I'll be home, Chrissy will be up and around and Nanny can take over for a while. We owe you so much.

Rose--never-ending thanks for all you have done. We can never pay our debt. "

Rose blushed.

"I've liked looking after little Duert and I've been quite happy. I'd love to have a day off--I'll go to Amsterdam, there is such a lot I've got to see there."

"A delightful city," agreed her host, 'but very changed I'm afraid.

The smaller streets away from the centre haven't altered but the Dam Square and Kalverstraat have. Once Christina's back on her feet I'm sure she'll want to show you something of The Hague before you leave us. "

Later that afternoon she went to see Christina, sitting up in bed, a pretty colour in her cheeks.

"Isn't it marvelous?" she demanded.

"A.

daughter, just what we wanted. Little Duert liked her too. Come and look at her. "

A darling baby. Rose conceded, and thought how super to have a baby in your own home with a midwife to look after you and Nanny and a doting husband to fill your room with flowers. She went away presently to fetch her little charge and sat him on the bed, where he stayed until it was time for his tea.

Rose had her dinner alone. Dr. ter Brandt had his with his wife so that Rose, once she had settled little Duert for the night, went down to the dining- room where she sat in solitary state at a vast table while Corvinus looked after her. His manner towards her was fatherly so that she was emboldened to talk to him which stopped her feeling lonely.

She settled quickly enough into the routine Dr. ter Brandt had mapped out; a very easy routine as it turned out, with nothing else to do but care for little Duert, keep an eye on his progress and play with him in the large garden around the house. And in a couple of days, Christina quite often joined them, lying on a chaise longue in the shade of an old mulberry tree in the centre of the vast lawn, the baby in her pram close by and Nanny keeping an eye on all of them. It was very pleasant; the idea of going back to St. Bride's was by no means welcome but had to be faced. Another week. Rose decided, and little Duert would be fully recovered and there would be no more need for him to have her there.

Dr. ter Brandt was away for most of the day, although he came home to lunch. There had been no sign of Mr. Werdmer ter Sane. Rose kept faith 3 fully to his instructions, made a careful report to Dr. ter Brandt each evening and wondered if she would ever see Mr. Werdmer ter Sane again.

He came unaccompanied and soft-footed into the nursery, on Friday evening. Rose was presiding over her small charge's supper and had her back to the door. It was little Duert's crow of delight which made her turn round.

She spooned in the next mouthful; her good evening was pleasant and a bit cool which was a waste of time for he came to stand beside her chair and laid a large hand on her shoulder. He said chattily, "How splendid to come back to such a contented household: Christina with her new baby, Duert like a lord of the earth. Nanny in transports, this little chap almost fit again.. and you. Rose?"

"I'm very well, thank you," she said, and shovelled in another spoonful.

"Duert tells me that you are to have a day off on Sat.u.r.day. What are your plans?"

She said a trifle tartly, "I shall spend the day in Amsterdam, there are places I want to see..." Before he could speak, "I'm going by train because I want to."

She wasn't looking at him which was a good thing because he was smiling.

"A splendid notion, you will be glad to get rid of us for a few hours. I suppose you wouldn't consider a companion-- Amsterdam is sometimes a little dicey for a solitary stranger."

"I don't know any companions," said Rose frostily, 'and I'd like to be by myself. "

"You know me," observed Mr. Werdmer ter Sane surprisingly.

"I'd rather be by myself." She added belatedly, "Thank you."

"You are a stubborn girl, aren't you. Rose? Never mind, but oblige me by not going to the Dam Square and loitering there. It's the gathering place of any number of strange types these days."

"I'll bear it in mind." She wiped little Duert's face and got up.

"You have no need to bother about me," she told him.

"I expect you feel that it's your duty, but I'm quite sensible, you know. Being a plain girl has its advantages."

He had taken his hand from her shoulder and turned away. Just as though she hadn't spoken he observed, "I am responsible for you, you will be good enough to do as I ask."

He went away without waiting for her to answer, which was a good thing because she had made up her mind then and there that the Dam Square would be the high spot of her day. She was a little muddled as to why she had decided that.

He came back later with Dr. ter Brandt, and examined the little boy.

Rose answered his pleasantly impersonal questions in like tone, agreed quietly that his patient was making splendid progress and listened with disquiet to the doctor telling his friend that of course he would stay to dinner. His invitation was repeated by Christina who had come to join them.

"And don't 5 dare refuse', she begged him, 'this is my first dinner party since I had the baby, I shall dress up and so shall Rose. "

Dress up? thought Rose wildly, the only faintly suitable dress was the linen one, very plain even if a pretty blue. Second thoughts calmed her though; no one was likely to notice what she was wearing, the three of them would have a lot to talk about and Christina would be the centre of interest.

Once little Duert was in his cot and Nanny had come back into the room from her supper bearing the infant and begun on her preparations for the baby's comfort. Rose got ready for her evening. She had had her meals with Dr. ter Brandt and now that Christina was about again, with her too, but they had been informal meals; true, the table had been set with silver and beautiful gla.s.s and the food had been cordon bleu, but Christina had worn housecoats--luxurious and glamorous, but nonetheless housecoats, so that Rose hadn't found her cotton skirts and tops too out of place. But this evening, she suspected, was to be more of a social event. She got into the blue linen, dressed her cloud of hair in the neatest possible fashion, took a quick look at her charge, and went downstairs, pausing to carry on one of the peculiar conversations with Nanny. It was surprising how well they understood each other and managed in ever to get into each other's way. Corvinus was in the hall, hovering to open the drawing-room door for her with a friendly smile. He liked Rose, she reminded him of Mevrouw ter Brandt, quite unlike the midwife, a haughty piece, even if she was good at her job, ordering him and Sally around and wanting her meals at all hours. He had been delighted to see her go. He held the door wide and thought that Rose looked very nice in her blue dress.

She was the last one down. Christina, in a silk dress which Rose instantly coveted, turned to smile at her as she hesitated just inside the door and the two men got up, the doctor to offer her a chair, making her feel instantly at ease with some gentle remark, while Mr. Werdmer ter Sane went over to the drinks table and asked her what she would have.

After that it was all right, they absorbed her into their lighthearted talk until Corvinus appeared to tell them that dinner was served and Christina took Rose's arm and led her across the hall to the dining-room.

They dined superbly; asparagus salad with shrimps, sole meuniere, roast partridge, followed by meringue tart lets a glorious concoction of strawberries, meringue and whipped cream, all washed down by the doctor's best champagne, saved for such an occasion. They toasted the baby, little Duert, Christina, and then to her embarra.s.sment. Rose.

And afterwards they had coffee in the drawing-room before Rose excused herself on the plea that little Duert would need her attention.