Markus' eyes remained as serious and puzzling as ever, and his mouth uttered not a word. Johannes looked first at one, then at the other, for an answer to his question. At last Markus said: "What does Marjon say?" Marjon, who had been leaning forward as she sat, lifted up her head. She no longer looked indifferent. Her cheeks were glowing, and her eyes, with their dry, red rims, seemed to be afire. She stared with the fixed, glittering look of one in a fever, and said: "What do I say? I have nothing to say. He thinks me too rude and rough. Possibly I am. I swear sometimes, and Keesje smells. I can't endure those people, and they don't want anything to do with me--certainly not with Kees. As Jo has need of finer companionship now, he must choose for himself." "No, Marjon, you do not understand me; or do you not wish to understand?" said Johannes, sadly. "It is not because I have need of it, but because it is good. It is good to enter a finer life--into a more elevated world. Is it not so, Markus? You understand me, do you not?" "I understand," said Markus. "Tell her, then, that she must come too--that it would be better so." "I don't think it would be better," said Marjon, "and I'm certainly not going with you." "Tell us, then, Markus, while we have you with us--tell us what we ought to do. We will do as you say." "I don't know yet whether I will or not," said Marjon. Then Markus smiled, and nodding toward Marjon, he said: "Look! She knows already we must not promise obedience to any one. Let him who promises obedience promise it to the Father." "But you are so much wiser than we are, Markus." "Is it enough that I am wiser, Johannes? Do you not wish to become wiser yourself? Because I can run better, ought you to let me carry you? How will you ever learn to run, yourself?" Marjon stared at him fixedly, with her flashing, flaming eyes, while two red spots burned upon her pale cheeks. She stepped up to Markus and pressed her hand upon his mouth, exclaiming passionately: "Do not say it! I know what you are going to say. Don't say it; for then he will do it, and he must not! he _must_ not!" Then she hid her face on Markus' arm. Markus laid his hand upon her head and spoke to her tenderly: "Are you not willing, then, to grant him what you yourself demand--that he should be doing what he himself, not some one else, thinks right?" Marjon looked up. Her eyes were tearless. Johannes listened quietly, and Markus continued: