My poor, poor Laurens!"
"But you know all, now, mynheer," whispered Hans. "You know he
was innocent of wrong, that he loved you and his dead mother. We
will find him. You shall see him again, dear meester."
"God bless you!" said Dr. Boekman, seizing the boy's hand. "It
may be as you say. I shall try--I shall try--and, Brinker, if
ever the faintest gleam of recollection concerning him should
come to you, you will send me word at once?"
"Indeed we will!" cried all but Hans, whose silent promise would
have satisfied the doctor even had the others not spoken.
"Your boy's eyes," he said, turning to Dame Brinker, "are
strangely like my son's. The first time I met him it seemed that
Laurens himself was looking at me."
"Aye, mynheer," replied the mother proudly. "I have marked that
you were much drawn to the child."
For a few moments the meester seemed lost in thought, then,
arousing himself, he spoke in a new voice. "Forgive me, Raff
Brinker, for this tumult. Do not feel distressed on my account.
I leave your house today a happier man than I have been for many
a long year. Shall I take the watch?"
"Certainly, you must, mynheer. It was your son's wish.
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