Then she put on a big apron and drew out
the round table.
She boiled the kettle and made coffee; and, when it was done, she
set the coffee pot on a pretty little porcelain stove on the
table to keep hot. She got out bread and cheese and smoked beef
and, best of all, a plate of little cakes.
Then they all four sat down to eat. I will not tell you how many
cakes Kit and Kat ate, but it was a good many.
After dinner, Grandmother put away the things, and Kat helped
her.
Kit sat beside Grandfather in the doorway while he smoked. Pretty
soon Grandfather said,
"Bring me my accordeon, Kit."
Kit ran to the press in the corner. He knew where the accordeon
was kept.
Then Grandfather took the accordeon, tipped his head back, shut
his eyes and began to play, beating time with one foot. Kat heard
the music and came out too.
She and Kit sat down on the doorstep, one on each side of
Grandfather, to listen.
Grandfather played six tunes.
Then Grandmother said,
"Why don't we go to the woods to hear the band play?"
"No reason at all," said Grandfather. So very soon they were on
their way to a grove on the edge of the town.
In the grove a band was playing; and just as the Twins and
Grandfather and Grandmother came up, it began to play the national
hymn of Holland. All the people began to sing. There were a great
many people in the grove, and they all sang as aloud as they
could; so there was a great sound. Grandfather and Grandmother
and Kit and Kat all sang too; for they all knew every word of the
hymn.
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