The ducks say “Quack, quack,” as they swim about. Katrina sings a little song while she knits. She sings: “O, the arms of the windmill Are high, oh, so high, And they creak and they creak As they go whirling by, O, I wonder, I wonder, Do they touch the sky, The arms of the mill As they go whirling by?” KATRINA’S BAKING “Will you make me some rolls, Katrina?” asked Jan one day. “Bram and I are going out in the meadow. Mother said we could stay until it is time to bring the cows home.” “But I have no meal,” said Katrina. “I will go over to Mynheer Van’s windmill. I will bring you some meal,” said Jan. So Jan ran to the windmill and brought home the meal. Katrina made him some rolls. She made him a cake too. She put little seeds in the cake. It was very good. Then she got a pat of butter and a slice of cheese. She put the rolls, cake, butter, and cheese in a basket. She spread a clean napkin over the top. “Here is your lunch, Jan,” she called. “There is enough for Bram, too.” [Illustration] “You are a good little sister, Katrina. Thank you very much,” said Jan. Then he and Bram went away to the meadow to stay until sunset. [Illustration] KATRINA’S MOTHER The Dutch mother is busy all day. She looks very neat at her work. She wears a blue dress. She wears a stiff white cap. She wears a big brown apron. Sometimes when it is cool, she wears a pretty red shawl. She has some gold ear-rings. Katrina says she is going to wear gold ear-rings when she grows up. She thinks her mother’s ear-rings are very pretty. Katrina’s mother wears wooden shoes, too, but her shoes are much larger than Jan’s or Katrina’s. Jan’s mother made him a little coat. She made it of blue cloth. She put big brass buttons on it. Jan likes to count his buttons. He plays a game with them. He makes a wish; and pointing to his buttons, he says, “Yes, no, yes, no.” He pretends the buttons tell him if he will get his wish. Jan is proud of his fine blue coat. He wears it when he goes to town. [Illustration] The mother made Katrina a little stiff cap and a pretty white apron. The apron had lace on it. Katrina’s mother knit the lace. [Illustration] JAN’S DOG, RINK Jan has a dog. He is a good strong dog. His name is Rink. Jan has a big cart. It is a milk cart. It is always full of tall, shining milk-cans. Rink draws the cart. He draws it to the town. Jan drives him. When they go to the town, Jan sells his good sweet milk. Jan is kind to Rink. He helps him pull the cart when the way is rough. He pats Rink on the head and says, “Good Rink, good Rink. You are a good dog. I will give you a big bone when I get home.” And Jan always does what he says. He always gives Rink a bone, and a drink of fresh water, when he comes back from the town. [Illustration] THE LITTLE DUTCH FRIENDS Hilda, Kassie, and Karl are little Dutch children, too. They do not live far from the blue house where Jan and Katrina live.