True, I have never had any serious illness--" "This is my first one too," replied Henrica, "but I know now what it is to be compelled to submit to everything we don't like, and feel with two-fold keenness everything that is repulsive.

It is better to die than suffer." "Your aunt is dead," said Maria sympathizingly.
"She died early this morning.

We had little in common save the tie of blood." "Are your parents no longer living ?" "Only my father; but what of that ?" "He will rejoice over your recovery; Doctor Bontius says you will soon be perfectly well." "I think so too," replied Henrica confidently, and then said softly, without heeding Maria's presence: "There is one beautiful thing.

When I am well again, I shall once more--Do you practise music ?" "Yes, dear Fraulein." "Not merely as a pastime, but because you feel you cannot live without it ?" "You must keep quiet, Fraulein.

Music;--yes, I think my life would be far poorer without it than it is." "Do you sing ?" "Very seldom here; but when a girl in Delft we sung every day." "Of course you were the soprano ?" "Yes, Fraulein." "Let the Fraulein drop, and call me Henrica." "With all my heart, if you will call me Maria, or Frau Maria." "I'll try.