Messengers still went and came on the roads leading to Delft, but to-morrow these also would probably be blocked by the enemy.
He always addressed everything he said to Maria, unless Barbara expressly questioned him, and when he at last rose from the table, ordered a good roast to be prepared the next day for the guest he intended to invite.

Scarcely had the door of his room closed behind him, when little Bessie ran up to Maria, threw her arms around her and asked: "Mother, isn't Junker Georg the tall captain with the blue feather, who ran down-stairs so fast to meet you ?" "Yes, child." "And he's coming to dinner to-morrow! He's coming, Adrian." The child clapped her hands in delight and then ran to Barbara to exclaim once more: "Aunt Barbel, did you hear?
He's coming!" "With the blue feather," replied the widow.
"And he has curls, curls as long as Assendelft's little Clara.

May I go with you to see Cousin Henrica ?" "Afterwards, perhaps," replied Maria.

"Go now, children, get the flowers and separate them carefully from the leaves.

Trautchen will bring some hoops and strings, and then we'll bind the wreaths." Junker Georg's remark, that this was a lucky day, seemed to be verified; for the young wife found Henrica bright and free from pain.