Our Little Dutch, Belgian, and Spanish Cousins

THE KERMESSE Already there were such crowds swinging up and down the streets that the children found it hard to make their way and keep together.

Gerard would never have been able to find his way but for the help of the school-master, who piloted him to the tent where he was to play for the dancing. Here Gerard was installed on a high wooden seat half hidden in the greenery and bunting and soon began to play to let the people know that the dancing was about to commence. He felt a little strange at first, especially when his friend the school-master had to hurry away to look after the rest of the party, but as soon as he drew his bow across the violin all his shyness left him and he played away so merrily that the couples at once began to come into the tent and take their places on the sand-strewn floor.

Meanwhile, after listening to Gerard for a time, Dirk and Helda and Saskia joined hands to keep from becoming separated and wandered about just bent on having a good time. There were the usual amusements to be found at a Belgian Kermesse, merry-go-rounds, shooting galleries, 187