The "Woutertje Pieterse" story was first published in Dekker's seven volume work entitled "Ideen." Here it is sandwiched in between miscellaneous sketches, essays and treatises, being scattered all the way from Vol. I to Vol. VII. The story falls naturally into two parts, of which the present volume is the first part. The second part, written in a different key, deals with "Walter's Apprenticeship."
A good deal of the flax, or silk, of his Chinaman's pigtail, to use Dekker's form of expression, I have unraveled as being extraneous matter. However, despite these omissions, it is quite possible that some very sensitive person may still find objectionable allusions in the book. If so, I must refer that one to the shade of Multatuli. From his own admission his shoulders were evidently broad; and, no doubt, they will be able to bear the additional strain.
Hubert Evans.
New York City,
November, 1904.
Chapter I
The origin of the story: regarding poetry, incurable love, false hair, and the hero of the story—The dangers of fame and the advantage of the upper shelf—The Chinaman's pigtail, and the collar of humanity 1
Chapter II
An Italian robber on the "Buitensingel" in Amsterdam—The bitter suffering of the virtuous Amalia—Wax candles, the palisades of morality—The cunning of the little Hallemans—The limitations of space 9
Chapter III
The difference between a sugar bowl and a Bible—Leentje's virtues and defects—An unfounded suspicion against Pennewip's honor 18
Chapter IV
The profound silence of Juffrouw Laps—Stoffel's sermon—Walter's fidelity to Glorioso—The last king of Athens—Ruined stomachs and bursted ear-drums 24
Chapter V
How one may become a great man—The cleverness of M'sieu Millaire—Versifying and the art of classifying everything—Hobby-horses 27
Chapter VI
Preparations for a party—The assignment of rôles—The conflict between wishing and being—Some tricks of fancy—The two sawmills—Amalia and the ducks 34
Chapter VII
Poetry and wigs—The vexation and despair of the latter 42
Chapter VIII
A tea-evening, and how it began—Some gaps in the author's knowledge—Stoffel's zoölogical joke—The cause of the last Punic war—And the advantage of smoking 48
Chapter IX
Echoes of the last Punic war—The defeat of Hannibal (Laps) by Scipio (Pennewip) 61
Chapter X
Causes of the tedious peace in Europe, showing the value of a "tea-evening" as a study—Specimens of school-verse concluded—Suitable for society poets and clever children 68
Chapter XI
Report on the condition of the leading characters after the catastrophe—Walter again: a character-study 75
Chapter XII
Leentje as a comforter and questioner—Prince Walter and his dominions 80
Chapter XIII
Convincing proofs of Walter's improvement—His first invitation—A study in love—Paradise and Peri 87
Chapter XIV
Great changes in the Pieterse family—Walter becomes poet-laureate at the court of Juffrouw Laps—The mountains of Asia—The bridge, Glorioso, and love—again 102
Chapter XV
Walter's dream—A swell coachman—Juffrouw Laps's difficulties 117
Chapter XVI
Femke hunts for Walter, and finds him under peculiar circumstances—Her adventures by the way 125
Chapter XVII
The widower's birthday—Klaasje's poem, and how a surprise may involve further surprises 132
Chapter XVIII
Walter's recovery—The doctor's pictures—Amsterdam dramaturgy 138
Chapter XIX
Pastors, sermons, and Juffrouw Laps—Chocolate, timidity, and love—The fire that didn't break out—Some details of religious belief 150
Chapter XX
Our hero calls on the doctor—Some strange happenings—How Walter delivered his present 161
Chapter XXI
Ophelia reaches her destination, and Femke becomes a queen—Walter's first experience "proposing"—Choosing a profession 170
Chapter XXII
Walter enters the real world—The firm Motto, Business & Co.—The technique of the novel—And the snuff of the Romans 180
Chapter XXIII
How one may become a "prodigal" by studying the story of the
Prodigal Son 194
Chapter XXIV
Why Walter did not see Femke—The worldliness of a servant of the church—The secret of Father Jansen's deafness in his left ear 201
Chapter XXV
Kings and doughnuts—How the masses soar and fall—Walter's cowardice and remorse of conscience—A good remedy for the blues 211
Chapter XXVI
Our hero retires thinking of Princess Erika, to be aroused by robbers and murderers, who are in collusion with Juffrouw Laps 225
Chapter XXVII
Walter alone with a pious lady, or Juffrouw Laps on the war-path 240
Chapter XXVIII
A midnight kiss—A wonderful statue in the "Juniper Berry"—
Republicans and True Dutch hearts—A sailor with—Femke? 245
Chapter XXIX
Sunrise on the "Dam"—An exciting encounter with a water-nymph—A letter from heaven—America, a haven for prodigal sons 260
Chapter XXX
A message from Femke, which Walter fails to understand—Dr. Holsma to the rescue—Femke and family portraits—Femke,