When we reached the homestead and were sitting on the stoep drinking our coffee, we heard that Richard had left quite suddenly and had gone back to England.

当赶到范·伦斯堡家，坐在他家屋前的门廊上喝咖啡，说理查德已经不辞而别回英国去了。

When we had finished our sweetmeats or fruit she would accompany us to the stoep, bidding us thank our mother for her gift and sending quaint, old-fashioned messages to her and the Father. Then she would turn and enter the house, closing the door behind, so that it became once more a place of mystery.

待吃糖果或水果，她总要将送到屋前的门廊，叮要多谢母亲给她送食品，要对父母亲转达一些稀奇古怪的老式祝愿，然后就转身回到屋里，随手关上门，使那里再次成为神秘世界。