"Will you kiss me?" he replied blithely. "Once--twice---"

Nelle turned quickly to Riekje:

"Get up, my girl, so that I may see whether I am to kiss your good-for-
nothing husband."

Dolf bent over Riekje and looked under her chair, pretending not to find
anything at first; finally he held the jug of milk triumphantly out at
arm's length. He laughed gayly, his hand on his thigh:

"Ah! who'll be kissed now, mother? Who'll be kissed?"

They all roared with laughter at the good joke.

"Dolf, kiss Riekje; bees like honey," cried Nelle.

Her lover made a ceremonious bow to Riekje, placed one foot behind the
other, pressed his hand to his heart, as the quality do, and, with a
solemn air, exclaimed:

"Soul of my soul, may I embrace one so fair as you?"

Then, without waiting for a reply, Dolf threw his arm round Riekje's
waist, raised her from her chair, and pressed his young lips upon her
neck. But Riekje half turned her head, and they kissed one another
warmly on the lips.

"Riekje," said Dolf, licking his lips in a greedy fashion, "a kiss like