Part 51 (1/2)

”Oh, my dears,” she cried, 'you don't know how happy you've made me.

I shall so enjoy having a son and daughter we're going to be very

happy!

' Jacomina smiled at her from a blotchy face and Sarel grinned.

”Oh, super!

' He ate a biscuit and Jacomina ate one too.

Alethea was so happy that she recoiled only slightly when Caesar's

ratty face appeared from under Sarel's pyjama sleeve.

She recovered at once and gave him such an enthusiastic greeting that Sarel insisted that the beast should sit on her hand.

She bore this high honour with fort.i.tude until the children went away

to dress, bearing Caesar with them, much to her relief.

She was drinking another cup of tea to restore her nerves when there was a second tap on the door.

Surely this time it would be Sarre?

It was Nanny.

She came and stood by the bed and burst into speech, repeating herself so often that Alethea managed to understand her quite well.

Nanny was deeply sorry for her manner towards Mcvrouw.

She hoped that she wouldn't be sent away, if Mevrouw could understand

that she loved the children.

She had been a wicked old woman and only now did she realise how wrong she had been to reject Mevrouw's kindness and friends.h.i.+p.

Alethea caught her hand and held it, frowning over her Dutch, anxious

to get it right.

”And they love you.

Nanny.

You must never leave us, it's unthinkable--you're important to them and

we trust you, you must know that.

' She paused to dig up a few more words.

”If I had been you,” said Alethea, ”T should have done exactly the same thing.

' She leant up and kissed the old woman's cheek.

”Friends,” she said.

Two difficult tears rolled down Nanny's cheeks.

”Friends, Mevrouw,” she repeated, 'for always.

' It was still quite early.

Alethea got up and dressed and went downstairs to find Sarre and the

children already at their breakfast.

Sarre got to his feet at once.

”My dear, I expected you to stay in bed.

' ”I'm not ill, thank you,” she gave him a sunny smile, 'only sore.