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Updated: May 23, 2025
Their name is the same as mine van Buren. Perhaps you have heard of Heer Robert van Buren?" "Ja," replied Mr. Paasma, biting his pipe still harder. Instead of looking happy, his face grew so troubled that I wondered whether my mention of these unknown relatives had been unfortunate whether, by any chance, a member of the family had lately committed some crime. Meanwhile, Phyllis stared.
There were some steep steps which led down from the deck to the cabin, and Phyllis and I descended, Mr. Paasma stolidly following, with an extraordinary expression on his walnut face. It was not exactly despairing, or defiant, or angry, or puzzled; but it held something of each one of these emotions. However, I soon forgot about the caretaker and his feelings in admiration of "Lorelei."
"The Dutch clock, the deck-chairs, the silk cushions, the curtains, and decorations in the cabin " "I'm afraid you think I'm an awful meddler; but, you see, I didn't know. Paasma told me he had a right to let the boat, and that I could do her up as much as I liked." "The old wretch!" I gasped.
Another call brought on deck a figure which matched the face; and on deck Mr. "Are you Heer Paasma?" I inquired from my distance. The walnut nodded. "Do you speak English?" Out came the pipe. "Ja, a leetle." "We're Miss Rivers and Miss Van Buren, from England. I'm Miss Van Buren. You have heard about me, and that Captain Noble left me his motor-boat in his will." "No, I not heerd."
I was thinking what a wonderful caretaker Jan Paasma must be. "Conscientious" hardly expressed him, because it's almost a year since Captain Noble used "Lorelei," and we hadn't written that we were coming to claim her; yet here she was, en fête for our reception. But then, I thought, perhaps our dear old friend had left instructions to keep the boat always ready.
"Boot," pointing with her mop in the direction whence we had come. We understood by this that the caretaker was at his post, and we returned to shout the name of Heer Paasma.
"Well, if you'll put a plank across, we'll come on board, and I'll show you my papers and explain everything." "I come on shore," said Mr. Paasma. "No, we would rather " I might have saved my breath. Mr. Paasma was Dutch, and he had made up his mind what would be best. The rest goes without saying. He seized one of the ropes, hauled the boat closer to shore, and sprang onto the bank.
"Oh, I think I begin to see. I shouldn't wonder if Paasma has now taken to his bed with a sudden attack of whatever the Dutch have instead of nervous prostration. He didn't know you were coming?" "Not till we came." "It must have been quite a surprise. By Jove, the old fox! I suppose he hadn't got the shadow of a right, then, to let the boat to me?"
You need have no hesitation in giving the boat to me." Mr. Paasma puffed at his pipe, which he held very tight between his teeth, and stared at the papers without looking up. "If you like, you can apply to your lawyer, if you have one," I went on, seeing that he was far from easy in his mind. "I'm quite willing to meet him. Besides" I had suddenly a brilliant idea "I have relations in Rotterdam.
Paasma under his own roof, and we did so, nearly falling over a stout child who was scrubbing the floor of the shop. "What a queer time of day to be cleaning eleven o'clock," muttered Phil, having just saved herself from a tumble. I thought so too; but then we'd been in Holland only a few hours.
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