The Omaha morning bee., 1922-11-26
by MABEL HERBERT uRNER.
HeIen's Unfortunate Remark Con
strains Their Evening In n
HolIuud HoIue.

HOlinnu noiiie.
'They may not be through dlnner,p
worried Helen. "why didn't you ask
him what time?"
"pidn't think Of H." Warren tossed
his cigar stub out OF the cab window.
"And maybe we should've dressed.
You never ask anything! IL makes II
90 hard when we're In n strange coun.
try and don't know the customs"
We're travelling. They won't e1'
pect usr 10 dress" with exasperatlng
indifference. Hello. we're getting Into
a nifty neighborhood."
"oh, knew We should've dressed, "
looking out on the opulent residential
section OF Amsterdam.
Always fussIn' about your Clothes
he grunted well, here we are!
They drew up before a small but
pretentlous mansion. Shaded lights
glowed through expensive curtains.
The whole place exuded n substantial
Dutch prosperity.
Il do hope she speaks English" :"
futtered Helen, as they went up the
steps. "It'll be so awkward II che
doesn't"
"He does, bettern most Americans"
Warren rang the bell. He's n live
wire. Solid, too. No credit risk do.
Ing business with these Holanders." :"
A plump maid, in futed cap with
long starched streamers. ushered them
into spacious white.panelled hall
and up to the second floor drawing
room.
Mr.. Van Brock, ruddy and broad
chested, in a dinner coat, and Mrs.
Van Brock. charming in black velvet
and pearls. came forward to greet
them.
They might have been In New York
or London. There was not even for
eign accent in the perfect English
with which they were received.
Conscious Of her street gown, Helen
was nervously disconnected.
by George, this looks like home"
Warren picked up familiar maya
zine.
"Yes, we try TO keep In touch with
America"
Books and magazines In half dozen
languages Uttered the table, an illumi-
mating sidelight on the cosmopolitan
culture of the HOllander.
Helen was fascinated by the old
Dutch furniture, the carved cabinets,
bookcases and curious
brass.faced tall clock.
With Warren and Mr.. Van Brock
soon talking business, Helen broached
the ever.alluring subject Of antiques.
"Yes, we have few rather nice
pieces" admitted Mrs. Van Brock.
"And such interesting old needle
work. I've never seen samplers made
into sofa cushions. That's charming
idea.
Il make them into runners, too"
showing table scarf Of five samplers.
"Oh, that's lovely! And you join
them with old lace?"
"The yellowed lace keeps them all
one tone. Are there any American
samplers? l suppose they were made
there?"
Eyes, but not nearly SO fine as the
foreign ones. Usually with only the
alphabet and a verse--nothing like
these"
The panelled walls Of the rear room
were hung with 18th century samplers
and needlework pictures. most Of them
Dutch, but a few from other coun-
tries.
1t was the home of lover of an
tiques. There was nothing modern.
How quaint" Helen was on her
knees before a corner fitted with min
iature furniture. all antique. "And this
dollp' examining the hooped
skirt "How old is your little girl?
Can she appreciate these rare things?"
The silence that followed was so
long that Helen looked up in surprise.
She was year old when she died,
but these are the things ] would have
collected for her. So every Christmas
and birthday add some antique toy.