He sat down beside her and threw his arm round her waist:

"I am neither good nor bad, my Riekje, but I love you with all my
heart."

Riekje kissed him.

"Dolf dear, when I think of the past I hardly know how I can still care
for life."

"The past is past, my beloved Riekje," replied Dolf.

"Ah! Dolf, dear Dolf, there are times when I think it would almost be
better to be up there now, so that I might tell the good Virgin all you
have done for me."

"Riekje, I am sad when you are sad: you do not wish to make me unhappy
about you this evening?"

"No, Dolf dear, I would give my life to save you one moment's pain."

"Then show me your beautiful white teeth, Riekje, and turn round and
smile at me."

"As you will, my Dolf, for all my joys and sorrows are yours. I have
only you in the world."

"Since that is so, Riekje, I wish to be everything to you; your father,
your husband, and your child. Tell me, Riekje, I am your baby, am I not?
There will be two of us to love our mother."