“I think Sappha and Leonard Murray are not only in love with each other--I think, also, they are engaged.” “You talk more nonsense than usual. No one has said a word of that kind to me. Of this family, I am the head, there could be no engagement without my approval. Your uncle and aunt would have told me at once--Sappha also. About engagements, what do you know? Lovers you have, but making love and making a life-long engagement are different things. Sappha is not engaged.” “Then ’tis a thousand pities, for I am sure she is mortally in love with Leonard.” “And if he was mortally in love with Sappha, what wonder? More beautiful every day, grows Sapphira Bloommaert.” “That is because she is in love. ‘Love makes the lover fair,’” and she began to hum the song. “I have never seen love any change make in you. A new dress might, but--” “I have never been in love. A new dress is the height of my affection. However, I go back to what I said--I am sure Sappha and Leonard are engaged.” “Was some one telling you this story?” “No. I told the story to myself.” “How did you make it up?” “I kept my eyes open.” “Well, what then?” “I saw that they had that ‘air’ about their slightest intercourse that mere experimental lovers never dare. I mean that sure look that married people have. Watch them and you will see it.” “Watch, I shall not. See, I shall not. As soon as there is any purpose of marriage for Sapphira Bloommaert, I shall be told of it--told immediately. If I was not, I should never forgive the slight,--never! And your uncle and aunt know it. Can you find nothing pleasanter about the dinner to talk of? It was a dinner to gladden Dutch hearts. I helped your aunt arrange the courses, and I gave her many of my choice receipts for the dishes. No one in New York has such fine Hollandish receipts as I have, except, perhaps, old Peter Bogart, the biscuit maker.” “I know, grandmother, I never pass his shop at Broadway and Cortlandt Street without going in for some doughnuts. No one can make such good ones; and how far back he looks in his smallclothes and long stockings, his big hat, and knee buckles, and shoe buckles, and sleeve buckles, his powdered hair and his long cue.” “Yes, Peter Bogart and Mr. and Mrs. Skaats are among the few Dutch who have never changed with changing customs. While moving with the city and the times they have retained their picturesque dress and household life. And in all New York no one is more respected; no one more interesting and lovable than Mr. and Mrs. Skaats.” “I never saw them!” “I am sure you have not.” “Well, then, who are they?”