The Dutch Twins

at woke up and peeped out from their cupboa

king square patches of light on the floor. The kettle was singing on t

is black Sunday clothes, all ready for church. Father Vedder did not look

nt to go to church with me, they'd bette

led out of the c

came to hel

them all she put a skirt of plaid. There was a waist of a different color, and over tha

of velveteen that reached to his ankles, and a jacket that but

which Vrouw Vedder had knit, and

ood them up side by side and had them turn

ing," she said. "Sit up straight. Loo

er," said

bread and milk. While they were eating it, Father Vedder went out and loo

little white-winged cap, and put Kit's hat on. She kissed them good-bye, and

proudly, from the doorway. She

sunshine. Many of their neighbors and friends, all

to pass a large windmill that was swinging its arms around and creaking

around, and

ast and som

ater and gri

elds of the L

he wind to

ound, and arou

ing to the windmill s

have windmi

t walk. You see, they didn't often have their

pump the water out of the fields, to be sure! Don't you know how wet the fields are sometimes?

pump the wate

nd. That works the pumps; and the pumps suck the water out of the fields, and it is poured out into the canals. If it weren't

kes keep out the

n lots of water. The dykes have to be watched day and night all the time, and the leas

said, "what a

e wind from the fans blow her ha

aught hold of one. It lifted him right off the ground as it

uick," shouted

d just in time. In another minute h

the ground, and had to have the di

e too small to swing on windmills, and besides it is the Sabbath day. Don'

hurt Kit a little bit, and scared him

They peeped inside a door which was

has to be done to keep this good land of ours. And it is a good land! We should be thankful for it! Just see the rich green meadows over there, with the cows grazing in the

Mother says

Father Vedder; "and we have all the good milk we want to drink,

est of Dutch gardens, isn

n raise better onions and cabbage and carrots than I can. And the

greatest country there

admitted; "but in pluck, my boy, it is! Did you know

afraid of lots of things! I'm afraid of spiders a

said Kit. "Boys are always plucki

ple never boast,"

e of his shoe into the dirt. Kat snuggl

Kit!" was a

ll need it boys and girls, and men and women too. It was pluck that made

k make Hollan

under water. But people built a wall of earth around these flats; and then they pumped out the water from the space

uck keep the

fields drained. No one can be lazy in Holland. Each one has to work well for what he gets. If Holland should grow lazy, she would

than the Dominie will p

hings," said Father Vedder. He got u

shall be late for church," he s

No one else dressed as he did. He wore a high silk hat, a

ok off their caps, and the little girls bobbed a courtesy. Kit and Kat bobbed an

s again," said Kit, after

edder wa

at you love your pas

recite the catechism, and mind all our manners when he comes. But Mother always has such go

ike St. Nicholas day!" sighed Kat. "But the Dominie never forgets! And la

er; "then they are glad to see the good Dominie as well as the cakes. Now no mo

in his pocket. Kat didn't have a pock

they met Grandfat

ack dress, with a fresh white cap, and a shawl over her shoulders. She carried a large psalm book with golde

seats. Kit and Kat sat one on each side of Grandmother. Grandfather and Fat

and look straight befor

ermints and sat up like

t. He read a chapter from the Bible, and then the Dominie stood

ill, just as Grandmother had said; bu

ave them each

both sound asleep with their heads on Grandmother's shoulders, one on each side; and

a great many people went to sleep

ing the Ninety

ody wo

od up quickly, so that no one would think she had been asleep. She forgot that the Twins were asleep too, with thei

ther, and Kat began to cry. But Grandmother said "Sh! sh!" and

ch person. Kit and Kat each put in a penny, though Kit had a hard time to get his out of his pocket. But

they were out on the stre

ng home with me t

. "And may we go with Grandfather

ather, "and Kit ma

down, he was so happy,

May I too?

d Grandfather. "You m

row would come rig

to Father Vedder and went home

a row close together. The houses were built of brick and had wooden s

and of Grandmother and Kit and Kat going

d scent bottle as soon as she was home. Then she

fee pot on a pretty little porcelain stove on the table to keep hot. She got

will not tell you how many cakes Kit

her put away the thing

the doorway while he smoked.

my accor

the corner. He knew wher

back, shut his eyes and began to play, beating time

doorstep, one on each side

er played

andmoth

to the woods to h

. So very soon they were on their wa

n of Holland. All the people began to sing. There were a great many people in the grove, and they all sang as aloud as they could

what t

hom old Dutc

, free an

or Prince and

us in o

h us lift u

in patr

which all he

ce and F

ce and F

rs, true

the old

h him wh

ce or La

rt glowed i

from him

hears the so

ce and F

ce and F

God, the dea

our fath

ere we a cr

we'll fi

Lord, to Th

ath's door

, blessing

ce and F

ce and F

ro' all rejo

r, O Lord

Prince, his

nd great

ro' life, be

to death

erve our so

ce and F

ce and F

nd was playing, and Kit and Kat were having the most beautiful time

iful white horses with wavy white tails and manes. There were two soldiers on horseback riding

miling young lady. Beside her sat her husband; and

nd the lady, they waved their caps

It is your dear Queen Wilhelmina, and Prince H

e crowded beside the driveway so, that neither of them could see. Then Grandf

queen saw Kit and Kat! She smiled at them, and the nurse held the little Princess up high for them to see! Kit and Kat threw kiss

than queens, Kit thought. Kat thought t

on the ground. Everyone began to talk about the Queen, about how sweet she was, and

utch girls and boys must learn to get up early in the morni

t them to bed in a little cupboard like their own at home, after th

soldiers, and the Queen's baby, and to-morrow we are goin

off to sleep, they heard

lap," it sound

Grandmother Winkle. "Eight o'clock,