And as the more substantial dishes gave place to fruits and confections, the nobler part of the feast took its precedency. The wine was consecrated to patriotism and friendship, in heartfelt toasts; and one of the earliest, and the most enthusiastic, was given to Madame Jonaca Bloommaert. It was a spontaneous innovation, roused by her beautiful old age, and her young enthusiasm, and she was for a moment embarrassed by the unexpected. Only for a moment; then she rose erect as a girl, her face kindling to her emotions, and in a clear voice answered the united salutation: “My friends, I thank you all. There has been much talk of the Dutch and of the Americans. Well, then, I am a Dutchwoman, and I am an American. Both names are graven on my soul. America is my home, America is my native land, and I would give my own life for her prosperity. But also, Holland is my _Vaderland_! and my _Moederland_! I have never seen it, I never shall see it, but what then? When our _Vaderland_ and _Moederland_ is lost to sight, good Dutchmen, and good Dutchwomen, _find it in their hearts_!” Her thin hands were clasped over her breast, her eyes full of a solemn ecstacy; for that moment she put off the vesture of her years, and stood there, shining in the eternal youth of the soul. In the midst of feelings not translatable she sat down, and as the little tumult subsided Peter Bloommaert rose, and said: “My dear grandmother has opened our hearts for the song my brother Chris wrote, the night before he went away. I promised to sing it for him this night, and my friend, Leonard Murray--who has it set to some good music--will help me. It is my business to build, it is my brother Christopher’s business to sail, and to fight, but I say this--and it is the truth--if America, my native land, needs my hands for fighting, the love I bear for my _Vaderland_ will only make me fight the better for my native land.” Then he looked at Leonard, and the two young, vibrant voices, blended Christopher’s “Flag Song” with a stirring strain of catching melody: O Flag of the Netherlands, are not our hearts All flagbearers sacred to thee? To our song, and our shout, O banner fly out! Fly out o’er the land and the sea! Unfold thee, unfold thee, invincible flag, Remember thy brave, younger years, When men crying ‘Freedom!’ died underneath thee, ’Mid storming and clashing of spears. Flag of Fidelity! Piety, Courage! Thy Blue, White, and Red We salute!