The Dutch Twins

rouw Vedder on the morning after Market

er mother

day to-day, Mother," sh

it; and he hu

s much as we helped Father

," sa

t wonder!"

everything to be very clean and tidy when she comes. I'm going first to the pasture t

of the hooks, and a brass milk can on the other. She gave Kat a little pail to carry, and Kit took some switches from th

little bridge over the cana

"I'm scared!" You see, there was no railing at al

aid Kit. "I'll go fi

behind you," sa

d on hard to her pail, and so

gh, I'm going to jump over the ca

ould be scared. And besides I'm afraid

, "boys can do a great many

ouw Holstein waiting for them. Mevrouw Holste

many of them-and sat down on a little stool. Kit and Kat stood beside her and wave

grass that Vrouw Vedder filled both the big pail and

eese," said Vrouw Vedder. "There are no cows li

u going to churn

e to make a good roll of butter, and you may help

y," said Kat. "I'm bi

how to make good butter and

rink the butter

k some too

nty for both," s

in and lifted the large pail of milk. She hung it on one of the hook and the brass milk can on the othe

road, when what should they see but their old goose and gan

ven't seen for so long! She has stolen her nest and hatched out six

edder. "Don't let them go into th

led some of the milk; but she was in such a hurry that she never k

mouth open and her wings spread! The old gander ran at them too. I can't be

e boy, and shook his willow switches at the geese, a

apron. Then the old goose and the gander and all the little goslings started

geese, looking very indignant, and the goslings. Then came Kit with the leaves all whipped off

een put away to cool, Vrouw Vedder got out her churn and scalded it well. The

which one of you can bring the butter, but be sure you wo

began. Kit sat on a little sto

ed and splashed inside the churn, and a little white ring of spa

asher, and the cream splashed and splashed for qu

oy. Of course you don't know how to chu

ay; and very soon, around the dasher, the

, come! Come,

ey cake, and s

ly, when Vrouw Vedder opened the churn,

d it into a nice roll. Then she gave each

urn and put it away. When she was all through, it was still quit

clean the hou

g-brushes, and mops, and pa

and pushed back the curtains so that the embroidered coverlet could be seen.

ful rolls of white linen, tied with ribbons, would show. Kat dusted the chair

d scoured and polished them u

k and potatoes and some cabbage. Kit, run to the garden and bring a cabba

was such a funny stove! It

res of boats on them. Over this table, there was a shelf, like a mantel shelf. There were plates on it, and f

urn brighter. She peeped in the kettle to see that there wa

it up and put it into the pot of water hanging ov

way merrily; and Father Vedder, who was

are going to h

the floor and wiped the window. Then she t

d, because she got some soap in its eyes. She scrubbed the steps-and even the trunk of the poplar tree in the yar

eave your wooden shoes outside, wh

em, all in a row. And as it was Saturday

leared away, Vrouw Ve

randmother to come. Let'

on top of the dyke, so they could look right down into the street, and see all t

in that basket?" Vrouw

aid Kit; and Ka

e was a large honey cake and anise ca

ry polite and did not ask for any-Vrouw Vedder was

hen we have tea, y

d Kit to Kat, as they walked along; "or el

uch easier to be polite

goslings, and to see the ducklings too. And Vrouw Vedder showed her

o be!" Then she said, "How clean the hou

Twins helped me make everything

e for honey cake,

iled the kettle and made tea. She took down her be

out the honey cake and buns and the candy; a

ite much longer,"

cake and a bun; and Vrouw Vedder spread some of t

or a ho

me for

t take the Twins l

andmother brought out her knittin

e you ready for Kat when she

ouw Vedder. "She shall be as well-to-do as any farmer's daughter near here, when she marries. See, this is

me, Mother?

you marry, we shall have a fin

g to have some

other

e day marry Kit, is working now on her line

into the yard. They sat down on the bench

ppose we've got

like it,

very dark inde

to do it. I'm going to stay at home with Mother a

inen then?" said Kit. "I gues

egan

and ask Moth

d Kit. "I don't want to

ch and went into the kitchen where

spinning flax to

, "will you please excus

Vrouw Vedder. Sh

all," said Kat. "We'd

and a half high and are called Christopher and Katr

etter that they gave them an extra handful of grain, and they carried a bun to Father Ve

it was late in the afternoon. Gran

father;" she said. "He'l

he first bridge with Grandmother. There sh

put them to bed th

en a short d

Vrouw Vedder, "because

d went out to feed the pigs, and s

was gone,

got along before we

she didn't think, no one will ever know,