Hour after hour, mother and son worked on. The hole grew larger and deeper. Clouds began to gather in the sky, throwing elfish shadows as they passed. Not until moon and stars faded away and streaks of daylight began to appear, did Meitje Brinker and Hans look hopelessly into each other's face. They had searched thoroughly, desperately, all round the tree; south, north, east, west. _The hidden money was not there!_ XXXIX GLIMPSES Annie Bouman had a healthy distaste for Janzoon Kolp. Janzoon Kolp, in his own rough way, adored Annie. Annie declared she could not "to save her life" say one civil word to that odious boy. Janzoon believed her to be the sweetest, sauciest creature in the world. Annie laughed among her playmates at the comical flapping of Janzoon's tattered and dingy jacket; he sighed in solitude over the floating grace of her jaunty blue petticoat. She thanked her stars that her brothers were not like the Kolps; and he growled at his sister because she was not like the Boumans. They seemed to exchange natures whenever they met. His presence made her harsh and unfeeling; and the very sight of _her_ made him gentle as a lamb. Of course they were thrown together very often. It is thus that in some mysterious way we are convinced of error and cured of prejudice. In this case, however, the scheme failed. Annie detested Janzoon more and more at each encounter; and Janzoon liked her better and better every day. "He killed a stork, the wicked old wretch!" she would say to herself. "She knows I am strong and fearless," thought Janzoon. "How red and freckled and ugly he is!" was Annie's secret comment when she looked at him. "How she stares, and stares!" thought Janzoon. "Well, I am a fine, weather-beaten fellow, anyway." "Janzoon Kolp, you impudent boy, go right away from me!" Annie often said. "I don't want any of your company." "Ha! ha!" laughed Janzoon to himself, "girls never say what they mean. I'll skate with her every chance I can get." And so it came to pass that the pretty maid would not look up that morning when, skating homeward from Amsterdam, she became convinced that a great burly boy was coming down the canal, toward her. "Humph! if I look at him," thought Annie, "I'll----" "Good-morrow, Annie Bouman," said a pleasant voice. [How a smile brightens a girl's face!] "Good-morrow, Master Hans, I am right glad to meet you." [How a smile brightens a boy's face!] "Good-morrow again, Annie. There has been a great change at our house since you left." "How so?" she exclaimed, opening her eyes very wide. Hans, who had been in a great hurry, and rather moody, grew talkative and quite at leisure in Annie's sunshine. Turning about, and skating slowly with her toward Broek, he told the good news of his father. Annie was so true a friend that he told her even of their present distress, of how money was needed, and how everything depended upon his obtaining work, and he could find nothing to do in the neighborhood.