Fiction > Book editions > New York, 1893 - David Balfour

304 DAVID BALFOUR
unchancy town of Rotterdam. I will tell you of it now,
because I think the worst is over, but we have still a
good tramp before us till we get to where my money is,
and if you would not buy me a piece of bread, I were
like to go fasting."
She looked at me with open eyes. By the light of
the new day she was all black and pale for weariness,
so that my heart smote me for her. But as for her, she
broke out laughing.
" My torture ! are we beggars then ? " she cried.
" You too ? 0, I could have wished for this same
thing ! And I am glad to buy your breakfast to you.
But it would be pleisand if I would have had to dance
to get a meal to you ! For I believe they are not very
well acquainted with our manner of dancing over here,
and might be paying for the curiosity of that sight."
I could have kissed her for that word, not with a
lover's mind, but in a heat of admiration. For it
always warms a man to see a woman brave.
We got a drink of milk from a country wife but new
come to the town, and in a baker's, a piece of excellent,
hot, sweet-smelling bread, which we ate upon the road
as we went on. That road from Delft to the Hague is
just five miles of a fine avenue shaded with trees, a
canal on the one hand, on the other excellent pastures
of cattle. It was pleasant here indeed.
" And now, Davie," said she, "what will you do with
me at all events ?"