When I was a kid, we lived in The Hague in a spacious old house. Later, recalling this house, his mother said he "took away a lot of time." But she was cleaning it by no means alone. In addition to ongoing workers who lived in the house, she had another that comes to the dirty work. This unusually thick woman named Greta. Her husband, Kees had for these days rare specialty: he was an assistant at the plumber. I was terribly surprised that such a fat woman, like Greta, can be married. Life has not yet revealed to me that many men find in this its charm. I myself am delighted when a school teacher, but they were thin as a rake.
Saturday afternoon Кеес всегда заходил за своей Гретой. Если она к тому времени не успевала домыть коридор, он терпеливо ждал на кухне и в своем темно-синем шерстяном костюме с vest and solid hat did not look like a plumber's apprentice.
In those years, even people with limited means had to work outside the dressing and let the surrounding hype: do we have a family full of wealth - except their own as brothers will record them in a stroller. Only a wealthy eccentric could walk around almost in tatters, because the money placed them above all accepted norms.
When I am on a Saturday afternoon went to the kitchen, Kees always very kindly greeted me.
He had a wholesome face, blond mustache and a merry blue eyes. I did not understand why such a nice young the guy married to Greta. Because of the completeness of it seemed terribly old.
- you, come again play football? - Kees told me. - One can see, an avid soccer player. I suppose the central striker.
in enthusiasm with which he talked about my alleged success on the football field, was attended by some kind of shade. It was excessive, and at the same time not. But because I wanted to be the way he represented me, I replied:
- Yes, Kees. - And walked on the kitchen, trying to look athletic and stronger than he really was.
my school was not far from our house. When I passed there yesterday, I saw that Finally the building was demolished, freeing up space for new hospital buildings. Looking at the wasteland, I remembered a distant day. Why I fell out with then Barend, I do not remember. I only remember that to quarrel with him was stupid, because he was a desperate fighter, and always walked, surrounded by friends.
So it happened that day. Pals derisively giggling, and Barend for no reason at all gave me a nose. I licked the blood, and his fists clenched, waiting for the next blow to the belief that it can not be avoided. In a fight I have little worth. Barend really punched me again, now in the eye, but then God himself intervened.
next to me suddenly rose Kees, this time in working overalls. On his belt hung a bag in which he took to work for breakfast, and a blue enamel flask. Of these workers were drinking iced tea.
- Come along with me - he said, around my shoulder and I went, barely holding back tears. The boys behind me hoot. Kees handed me his handkerchief and said: - Wipe nose.
I obediently complied and the order. Fortunately, the handkerchief he had a red.
home I did not talk about his infamous defeat and the fear of waiting for Saturday. After all, Kees after all seen my retreat and heard screams of boys. He, of course, deeply disappointed in me. But on Saturday, when I entered the kitchen, he, as usual, cordially shook hands with me. My mother was standing at the cooktop, and Kees said to her:
- He is well able to fight mefrau. I accidentally saw this week, as he fought with four healthy guys. Good for you boy!
And again his voice was heard a strange hue. I was too young to grasp its meaning.
Only much later that I realized - it was ironic.
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