The Belgian Twins Read online

  VI

  AT THE CHURCH

  Several days passed quietly by in the little village of Meer. The sunshone, and the wind blew, and the rains fell upon the peaceful fields,just as if nothing whatever had happened. Each day was filled to thebrim with hard work. With the help of the Twins, Mother Van Hove keptthe garden free of weeds and took care of the stock. She even threshedthe wheat herself with her husband's flail, and stored the grain awayin sacks ready for the mill. Each evening, when the work was done, thethree went down the village street together. One evening, just at dusk,they found nearly the whole village gathered in front of the priest'shouse next to the church. Leon, the Burgomeister's oldest boy, had beento Malines that day and had brought back a paper.

  The priest was reading from it to the anxious group gathered about him."Oh, my children," he was saying, as Mother Van Hove and the Twinsjoined the group, "there is, no doubt, need for courage, but where isthere a Belgian lacking in that? Even Julius Caesar, two thousand yearsago, found that out! The bravest of all are the Belgians, he said then,and it is none the less true to-day! The Germans have crossed oureastern frontier. It is reported that they are already burning townsand killing the inhabitants if they resist. God knows what may bebefore us. Our good King Albert has asked Parliament to refuse thedemands of the Germans. In spite of their solemn treaty with us, theydemand that we permit them to cross Belgium to attack France. To thisour brave King and Parliament will never consent; no true Belgian wouldwish them to. There is, then, this choice either to submit absolutelyto the invasion of our country, or to defend it! The army is already inthe field."

  There was a moment of heavy silence as he finished speaking. Then thevoice of the Burgomeister's wife was heard in the stillness. "Oh,Mynheer Pastoor," she said to the priest, "what shall we do? There isno place to go to we have no refuge!"

  "God is our refuge and strength, my children," said the priest, liftinghis eyes to heaven. "We have no other! You must stay here, and if theterrible Germans come, hide yourselves away as best you can, until theyhave passed by. Do not anger them by resisting. Bow your heads to thestorm and have faith in God that it may soon pass over." He turned andled the way toward the little church as he spoke. "Come," he said, "letus pray before God's holy altar, and if the enemy comes, seek refuge inthe church itself. Surely even the Germans will respect the sanctuary."

  Solemnly the people filed into the little church, lighted only by thecandles on the altar, and knelt upon the hard floor. The priest leftthem there, praying silently, while he went to put on the robes of hisoffices. Then once more he appeared before the altar, and led thekneeling congregation in the litany.

  "From war and pestilence and sudden death, Good Lord, deliver us," heprayed at last, and all the people responded with a fervent "Amen."

  That night, when she put her children to bed, Mother Van Hove fasteneda chain with a locket upon it about Marie's neck. "Listen, ma Mie," shesaid, "and you, too, my little Jan. God only knows what may be beforeus. This locket contains my picture. You must wear it always about yourneck, and remember that your mother's name is Leonie Van Hove, and yourfather's name is Georges Van Hove. If by any chance--which Godforbid--we should become separated from one another, keep the locket onyour neck, and our names in your memory until we meet again; for ifsuch a thing should happen, do not doubt that I should find you, thoughI had to swim the sea to do it! For you, my Jan, I have no locket, butyou are a man, a brave man, now! You must take care of yourself andyour sister, too, if need should arise, and above all, rememberthis--only the brave are safe. Whatever happens, you must remember thatyou are Belgians, and be brave!"

  The children clung to her, weeping, as she finished. "There, there,"she said soothingly: "I had to tell you this so you would be ready todo your best and not despair, whatever might happen, but be sure, mylambs, nothing shall harm you if I can help it, and nothing shallseparate us from one another if God so wills. Now, go to sleep!"

  She kissed them tenderly, and, quite comforted, they nestled down intheir beds and soon were asleep. She herself slept but little thatnight. Long after the children were quiet, she sat alone on the kitchenstep in the darkness with Fidel by her side, and listened to the faintsounds of distant guns, and watched the red light in the sky, whichtold her of the burning of Louvain.