“Oh? Why is that?”

“I love my parents very much, and they’re wonderful people, but I want to see new things and do new things. After I finished secondary school last spring, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in the future. I’m hoping that coming here will help me figure it out.”

Eloise gave a clap of delight. “What a marvelous place to be in, Ans! You’re a lovely young woman with your whole future ahead of you and endless possibilities to explore. I hope we’ll become friends and that you’ll let me show you all the things I love about this city. It will be exciting for both of us.”

“That’s very kind and generous —”

“We’ll explore Leiden, then take the train to Amsterdam and Den Haag. We’ll attend concerts and see artwork —the greatest artists in the world are from the Netherlands, you know. I believe you’ll see the exquisite beauty of your farm life in a new way when you view it through their eyes. Are you familiar with the Impressionists?” Her pale skin grew flushed as she spoke, her voice breathless. She didn’t wait for Ans to reply as she gushed on. “You must see the Impressionists’ artwork. I could lose myself in their vision of the world. And there are a host of lectures on a fabulous variety of new ideas. Like phrenology! Are you familiar with phrenology?”

“No, I —”

“I find it endlessly fascinating! Oh, there are so many astonishing new ideas to explore. I will make you my apprentice and fellow sojourner in their discovery!”

“I would like that.”

“You aren’t eating, Ans. Here, you must try one of these pastries. They’re from my favorite coffee shop near the university, and although they aren’t quite as good as the ones back home, we must make do when we’re in exile, mustn’t we? No one makes a croissant like the French do —even the Belgians, sad to say. Please, try one.”

Ans was overwhelmed by everything —Eloise’s home, her zest for life, and her generosity in sharing them. Yet something about her glittering enthusiasm seemed out of proportion to their brand-new friendship. After learning of Eloise’s fragile mental state, Ans felt as if she were trying to sip from a teacup filled dangerously close to the brim.