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Dodge, Mary Mapes, 1831-1905

"Hans Brinker; or, the Silver Skates"


Trembling with eagerness he said, "That was a troublesome dream.
Do you remember WHEN you buried the money, Father?"
"Yes, my boy. It was just before daylight on the same day I was
hurt. Jan Kamphuisen said something, the sundown before, that
made me distrust his honesty. He was the only one living besides
Mother who knew that we had saved a thousand guilders, so I rose
up that night and buried the money--blockhead that I was ever to
suspect an old friend!"
"I'll be bound, Father," pursued Hans in a laughing voice,
motioning to his mother and Gretel to remain quiet, "that you've
forgotten where you buried it."
"Ha! ha! Not I, indeed. But good night, my son, I can sleep
again."
Hans would have walked away, but his mother's gestures were not
to be disobeyed. So he said gently, "Good night, Father. Where
did you say you buried the money? I was only a little one then."
"Close by the willow sapling behind the cottage," said Raff
Brinker drowsily.
"Ah, yes. North side of the tree, wasn't it, Father?"
"No, the south side. Ah, you know the spot well enough, you
rogue. Like enough you were there when your mother lifted it.
Now, son, easy.


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