Discover Public Works Page #2

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A hundred guilders. But for that sum

you could buy a new instrument.

A hundred guilders? But for people in

those circumstances that's marvellous.

Could you scribble something on a piece

of paper, in the way of a receipt?

So I can give him something tangible.

- I will.

So we have a wealthy dinner guest.

You should have seen him when he saw

such bargaining by a mere craftsman.

You must be proud of your father.

There's no way around it:

If they want their hotel they have to pay.

Wonderful, hear that Christiaan?

Were there further negotiations?

He's been round several times

but we got no closer together.

And I see no reason to lower my price.

Fifty thousand guilders...

When Theo studies architecture

he needs to travel...

...books, college fees, the student life.

Enjoyed your meal, Theo?

Some of the money I'll invest, of course.

Perhaps in oil, the product of the future.

And modern steam boats.

Peat is on the way out. In Amsterdam

nobody burns peat. I don't.

That violin man of yours

is in the wrong place here.

People prefer oil from America.

Talking about America:

He's written me a letter.

Who... Alexander?

Yes. Well...

He calls himself Al now.

He still speaks Dutch but with an effort.

He'll be in Amsterdam soon.

In America the streets

are paved with gold, people say.

Is Ala rich man?

Not sure. His father was a vicar.

He went to try his luck.

He didn't go there to make money...

...but more because of social

compassion.

The same goes for me, really.

In my job, social compassion is much

more important than the right diploma.

You need love

for your fellow human beings.

And you do love them,

more than our doctor...

...who you're regularly at odds with.

But do be careful. The peat diggers

now look upon you as their doctor.

And that's ludicrous.

- Ludicrous?

I pity them and that's why I go

and give them medicine.

And I'll go again tomorrow whatever

you and doctor Amshoff may think.

Nobody is concerned

about the peat diggers. Nobody.

What about Amshoff?

- He just cashes his pay cheque.

If I didn't help them

they'd have no medical care.

But you have no medical qualifications.

You could be taken to court.

Amshoff...

His idle talk.

- My father got on with him.

Yes, your father did.

Have you thought about...

It's a new era now.

There are medical tests.

I can't see the point.

We must take it as it comes.

Let's... once more...

Out of the way!

That's me, Vedder.

Alexander, I didn't expect you here...

Is that your shop?

- Yes. Come.

How you've changed.

That's a consignment

from my cousin Chris in Hoogeveen.

Remember him?

Cousin Christiaan.

I've got that photograph as well.

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