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Advertising Promotion and Other Aspects of Integrated Marketing Communications 9th Edition Shimp Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
Advertising Promotion and Other Aspects of Integrated Marketing Communications 9th Edition Shimp Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
Advertising Promotion and Other Aspects of Integrated Marketing Communications 9th Edition Shimp Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
TRUE/FALSE
ANS: T PTS: 1
2. The difference between advertising and public relations is that, for advertising, media exposure is paid
for by the advertiser, and for public relations it is not.
ANS: T PTS: 1
3. Most advertising is undertaken by companies that market their brands to other companies (B2B
advertising).
ANS: F PTS: 1
ANS: T PTS: 1
5. Of the product categories of automobiles, computers and software, drugs, food, personal care items,
and telephone service, the category of automobiles has the highest average advertising-to-sales ratio.
ANS: F PTS: 1
6. Smaller competitors in an industry typically have to invest relatively larger percentages of their sales
revenues in advertising than do larger competitors.
ANS: T PTS: 1
ANS: F PTS: 1
8. Most successful companies are aware that consistent investment spending is the key factor underlying
successful advertising.
ANS: T PTS: 1
ANS: F PTS: 1
10. Advertising is an efficient form of communication, capable of reaching mass audiences at a relatively
low cost per contact.
ANS: T PTS: 1
11. Usage expansion advertising consists of teaching new uses for existing brands.
ANS: T PTS: 1
ANS: F PTS: 1
ANS: F PTS: 1
14. A commercial that creates demand for Mountain Dew is an example of secondary demand.
ANS: T PTS: 1
15. One function of advertising is to increase brand salience, which means enriching the memory trace for
a brand such that the brand comes to mind in relevant choice situations.
ANS: T PTS: 1
ANS: F PTS: 1
17. There are three basic ways by which companies can add value to their offerings: innovating, altering
consumer perceptions, and lowering price.
ANS: F PTS: 1
ANS: T PTS: 1
ANS: T PTS: 1
20. Account executives are involved in tactical decision making and day-to-day contact with brand
managers and other client personnel.
ANS: T PTS: 1
21. Advertising management generally involves the organization that has a product or service to advertise
and an independent agency, or agencies, responsible for creating ads, making media choices, and
measuring results.
ANS: T PTS: 1
22. Advertising strategy implementation involves setting objectives, devising budgets, creating messages,
and developing the media strategy.
ANS: F PTS: 1
23. Measuring advertising effectiveness often requires that baseline measures be taken before an
advertising campaign begins and then afterward to determine whether the objective was achieved.
ANS: T PTS: 1
24. Most of the major U.S. ad agencies are located in Los Angeles.
ANS: F PTS: 1
25. In an in-house advertising operation, the advertiser employs an advertising staff and absorbs the
overhead required to maintain the staff’s operations.
ANS: T PTS: 1
26. One advantage of purchasing advertising services a la carte from specialized agencies is potential cost
efficiencies.
ANS: T PTS: 1
27. An advantage of using a full-service advertising agency is the ability to obtain negotiating leverage
with the media.
ANS: T PTS: 1
28. Media planners are responsible for developing the overall media strategy and purchasing the specific
media vehicles for the advertiser.
ANS: F PTS: 1
29. Account management provides the mechanism to link the agency with the client.
ANS: T PTS: 1
30. Management supervisors in a full-service agency are involved in tactical decision making and
day-to-day contact with brand managers and other client personnel.
ANS: F PTS: 1
31. Historically, advertising agencies charged a standard commission of 20 percent of the gross amount of
media billings.
ANS: F PTS: 1
32. The most common advertising agency compensation method today is a labor-based fee system.
ANS: T PTS: 1
ANS: F PTS: 1
34. Outcome-based compensation programs encourages agencies to use whatever IMC programs are
needed to build brand sales.
ANS: T PTS: 1
35. Whether one chooses to invest or disinvest in advertising a brand depends largely on expectations
about how advertising will influence a brand’s sales volume and revenue.
ANS: T PTS: 1
36. In terms of profitability, investing in advertising can be justified only if the incremental revenue
generated from the advertising effort exceeds the advertising expense.
ANS: T PTS: 1
37. Most sophisticated companies are willing to place their bets on advertising’s ability to boost revenues
and thus enhance profits from the revenue-increase side rather than from the expense-reduction side.
ANS: T PTS: 1
38. Elasticity is a measure of how responsive quantity demanded is to changes in marketing variables such
as price and advertising.
ANS: T PTS: 1
39. An ad price elasticity coefficient of 0.15 indicates that a one percent increase in ad expenditures
increases volume by 15 percent.
ANS: F PTS: 1
ANS: T PTS: 1
41. Creating better, more creative, and stronger advertising than competitors can lead to increased market
shares.
ANS: T PTS: 1
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. _____ is a paid, mediated form of communication from an identifiable source, designed to persuade
the receiver to take some action, now or in the future.
a. Public relations
b. Advertising
c. Communications
d. Marketing
e. Marcom
ANS: B PTS: 1
2. To distinguish advertising, which typically is conveyed via print, TV, radio, the Internet, etc., from
person-to-person forms of communication, including personal selling and word of mouth, the term
_____ communication is used.
a. mediated
b. paid-for
c. commercial
d. technological
e. focused
ANS: A PTS: 1
6. An ex-CEO at Procter & Gamble—one of the world’s largest advertisers—aptly draws an analogy
between advertising and exercise in that both provide _____.
a. short-term benefits
b. irreversible benefits
c. long-term benefits
d. a learning environment
e. life to its participants
ANS: C PTS: 1
7. Most successful companies are aware that _____ spending is the key factor underlying successful
advertising.
a. increased
b. decreased
c. consistent investment
d. maximum
e. minimum
ANS: C PTS: 1
10. Advertising that teaches new uses for existing brands is known as _____.
a. elaboration advertising
b. top-of-mind awareness advertising
c. primary demand advertising
d. usage expansion advertising
e. alternative use advertising
ANS: D PTS: 1
12. Creating demand for an entire product category is known as _____ demand.
a. joint
b. elastic
c. derived
d. primary
e. secondary
ANS: D PTS: 1
13. The Dairy Council’s campaign points out that weight-conscious consumers can buy low-fat dairy
products. This message is primarily designed to _____.
a. persuade
b. deceive
c. add value
d. inform
e. remind
ANS: D PTS: 1
14. The Beef Council sponsored a variety of advertisements encouraging people to eat more meat. These
advertisements were designed to create _____ demand.
a. secondary
b. derived
c. elastic
d. joint
e. primary
ANS: E PTS: 1
15. Which of the following is an example of an advertisement that was designed to create primary
demand?
a. "Weekends were made for Michelob."
b. "Orange juice isn't just for breakfast anymore."
c. "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there."
d. "You're in good hands with Allstate."
e. "Gillette: the best a man can get."
ANS: B PTS: 1
16. The National Dairy Council sponsored a series of commercials promoting milk and cheese as healthy
foods. This advertising was designed to create _____.
a. secondary demand
b. horizontal demand
c. vicarious demand
d. primary demand
e. joint demand
ANS: D PTS: 1
18. PepsiCo's commercials that encourage people to purchase Mountain Dew is an example of creating
_____ demand.
a. elastic
b. primary
c. secondary
d. derived
e. joint
ANS: C PTS: 1
19. An advertisement that was designed to keep a company's brand fresh in the consumer's memory
performs the advertising function of _____.
a. informing
b. persuading
c. adding value
d. reminding
e. assisting other company efforts
ANS: D PTS: 1
20. Making a brand more _____ means enriching the memory trace for a brand such that the brand comes
to mind in relevant choice situations.
a. primary
b. secondary
c. salient
d. important
e. valuable
ANS: C PTS: 1
23. A Korean brand of television was perceived as “low quality” by over 70 percent of American
consumers who were surveyed. However, after an extensive advertising campaign, the percentage of
American consumers who perceived this brand as low quality fell to 20 percent. In this instance,
advertising has successfully altered consumers’ perceptions and performed which function?
a. adding value
b. informing
c. persuading
d. reminding
e. assisting other company efforts
ANS: A PTS: 1
24. An advertisement that is designed to presell a company's products and provide salespeople with
valuable introductions performs the advertising function of _____.
a. informing
b. persuading
c. adding value
d. reminding
e. assisting other company efforts
ANS: E PTS: 1
25. An advertisement that is designed to encourage you to buy Nike shoes is attempting to stimulate _____
demand.
a. inelastic
b. elastic
c. secondary
d. primary
e. joint
ANS: C PTS: 1
26. Advertising that is designed to deliver coupons and sweepstakes is performing the function of _____.
a. informing
b. influencing
c. reminding
d. adding value
e. assisting other company efforts
ANS: E PTS: 1
27. Customers are known to be more responsive to retailers’ price deals when retailers _____.
a. use rebate offers
b. advertise those deals
c. offer coupons
d. provide additional incentives
e. include in-package premiums
ANS: B PTS: 1
28. _____ is the process of creating ad messages, selecting media in which to place the ads, and measuring
the effects of the advertising efforts.
a. Marketing management
b. Advertising management
c. Marcom management
d. Promotion management
e. Advertising
ANS: B PTS: 1
29. Clara’s job responsibilities include the process of creating ad messages, selecting media in which to
place the ads, and measuring the effects of the advertising efforts. Clara is involved in _____.
a. marketing management
b. message management
c. marcom management
d. communication management
e. advertising management
ANS: E PTS: 1
31. Rick’s job at a major consumer goods manufacturer is to oversee the process of setting advertising
objectives, devising budgets, message creation, and determining media strategy. Rick is involved in
_____.
a. formulating advertising strategy
b. implementing advertising strategy
c. account management
d. marketing management
e. implementing marketing strategy
ANS: A PTS: 1
32. _____ deals with the tactical, day-to-day activities that must be performed to carry out an advertising
campaign.
a. Marketing management
b. Advertising management
c. Advertising strategy formulation
d. Advertising strategy implementation
e. Measuring effectiveness
ANS: D PTS: 1
33. Gwen works at a consumer-goods manufacturer and deals with the tactical, day-to-day activities that
must be performed to carry out an advertising campaign. Gwen is involved in _____.
a. formulating advertising strategy
b. implementing advertising strategy
c. account management
d. marketing management
e. formulating marketing strategy
ANS: B PTS: 1
34. The _____ are involved in tactical decision making and day-to-day contact with brand managers and
other client personnel.
a. account executives
b. management supervisors
c. assistant supervisors
d. product managers
e. line managers
ANS: A PTS: 1
35. Message strategies and decisions are most often the joint enterprise of the companies that advertise and
their _____.
a. advertising agencies
b. marketing departments
c. advertising departments
d. promotion departments
e. communication consultants
ANS: A PTS: 1
36. Most of the major U.S. advertising agencies are located in _____.
a. Detroit
b. Chicago
c. Los Angeles
d. Dallas
e. New York City
ANS: E PTS: 1
37. Which of the following is a way advertisers can perform the advertising function?
a. purchase advertising services on an as-needed basis from specialized agencies
b. use a full-service advertising agency
c. use an in-house advertising operation
d. a and b only
e. a, b, and c
ANS: E PTS: 1
38. One option for an organization wishing to advertise is to recruit the services of a variety of firms with
particular specialties in distinct aspects of advertising. These firms are called _____.
a. specialty firms
b. boutiques
c. cafeteria agencies
d. full-service agencies
e. buffet agencies
ANS: B PTS: 1
40. Which of the following is a basic function performed by full-service advertising agencies?
a. creative services
b. media services
c. research services
d. account management
e. All of these are correct.
ANS: E PTS: 1
41. Which of the following is NOT a basic function performed by a full-service advertising agency?
a. account management
b. creative services
c. product research and development services
d. media services
e. research services
ANS: C PTS: 1
42. Which of the following is an advantage of employing the services of a full-service agency?
a. obtaining negotiating leverage with the media
b. ability to contract for services only when they are needed
c. greater control over the advertising function
d. greater control over competitive information
e. more effective advertising
ANS: A PTS: 1
43. Eric is a copywriter employed by a full-service advertising agency. Which function of a full-service
agency does Eric’s job fall into?
a. media services
b. account management
c. creative services
d. research services
e. production services
ANS: C PTS: 1
44. Which unit of a full-service advertising agency is charged with the task of selecting the best
advertising media for reaching the client’s target market, achieving ad objectives, and meeting the
budget?
a. creative services
b. media services
c. research services
d. account management
e. production services
ANS: B PTS: 1
46. Addilson is responsible for developing the overall media strategy for his agency’s clients. Addilson is
a(n) ____.
a. media planner
b. media buyer
c. creative director
d. account executive
e. account planner
ANS: A PTS: 1
47. ____ procure specific vehicles within particular media that have been selected for an agency’s clients.
a. Account executives
b. Account planners
c. Media planners
d. Media buyers
e. Media directors
ANS: D PTS: 1
48. Carrie works at an advertising agency, and her job is to procure specific vehicles within particular
media that have been selected for the agency’s clients. Carrie is a(n) ____.
a. media planner
b. media buyer
c. creative director
d. account executive
e. account planner
ANS: B PTS: 1
49. Sam works for a full-service advertising agency. His job includes studying the buying habits of clients’
customers, their purchase preferences, and their responsiveness to advertising concepts and finished
ads. Sam most likely works in _____.
a. account management
b. media services
c. research services
d. the creative department
e. sponsorship management
ANS: C PTS: 1
50. _____ act as liaisons so that the client does not need to interact directly with several different service
departments and specialists in a full-service advertising agency.
a. Account managers
b. Account planners
c. Media managers
d. Account directors
e. Client managers
ANS: A PTS: 1
51. _____ are involved in tactical decision making and day-to-day contact with brand managers and other
client personnel.
a. Management supervisors
b. Account executives
c. Client managers
d. Account planners
e. Project managers
ANS: B PTS: 1
52. Rebecca's position at an advertising agency has her involved in tactical decision making and
day-to-day contact with brand managers and other client personnel. Rebecca is a(n) _____.
a. line manager
b. product manager
c. assistant supervisor
d. management supervisor
e. account executive
ANS: E PTS: 1
53. _____ are involved in getting new business for the agency and working with clients at a strategic level.
a. Management supervisors
b. Account executives
c. Project managers
d. Advertising managers
e. Account planners
ANS: A PTS: 1
54. Lucille's position at an advertising agency has her involved in getting new business for the agency and
working with clients at a strategic level. Lucille is a(n) _____.
a. line manager
b. senior vice-president
c. assistant supervisor
d. management supervisor
e. account executive
ANS: D PTS: 1
57. In the past, what was the standard media commission paid to advertising agencies?
a. 5 percent
b. 10 percent
c. 15 percent
d. 20 percent
e. 25 percent
ANS: C PTS: 1
58. Creative Advertising Agency buys $100,000 of magazine advertising space for its client. Using the
historical standard media commission rate, how much will the agency be compensated for this media
buy?
a. $5,000
b. $10,000
c. $15,000
d. $20,000
e. $25,000
ANS: C PTS: 1
59. The most common method of compensation for advertising agencies today is _____.
a. a labor-based fee system
b. a standard commission of 10 percent of the gross amount of the billing
c. a standard commission of 15 percent of the gross amount of the billing
d. a standard commission of 20 percent of the gross amount of the billing
e. outcome-based programs
ANS: A PTS: 1
60. A compensation system in which agencies carefully monitor their time and bill clients a fee based on
time commitment is known as a(n) _____.
a. commission-based system
b. input-based system
c. labor-based fee system
d. outcome-based program
e. performance-based system
ANS: C PTS: 1
62. Which agency compensation method is closely aligned with the advertiser’s sales?
a. Media-commission system
b. Labor-based fee system
c. Outcome-based programs
d. Investment-based programs
e. Equity-based programs
ANS: C PTS: 1
64. Whether one chooses to invest or disinvest in advertising a brand depends largely on expectations
about how advertising will influence a brand’s sales volume and _____.
a. revenue
b. variable cost
c. discretionary cost
d. marginal cost
e. price
ANS: A PTS: 1
65. In terms of profitability, investing in advertising can be justified only if the incremental revenue
generated from the advertising effort exceeds the _____.
a. production expense
b. operational expense
c. discretionary expense
d. advertising expense
e. commission expense
ANS: D PTS: 1
66. The case for investing in advertising is based on the belief that it can increase profitability and thus
increase revenue beyond the incremental advertising expense by _____.
a. increasing sales volume
b. enabling higher selling prices
c. reducing promotion costs
d. a and b only
e. a, b, and c
ANS: D PTS: 1
67. Effective advertising should build sales volume by enhancing brand equity, both by _____ and by
_____.
a. building brand knowledge; increasing trial
b. providing information; including a reason to buy
c. including a sales promotion offer; reminding consumers
d. increasing brand loyalty; using a credible endorser
e. increasing brand awareness; enhancing brand image
ANS: E PTS: 1
68. When firms choose to reduce advertising expenditures if a brand is performing well or during periods
of economic recession, this is referred to as _____.
a. disinvesting
b. disintermediation
c. divesting
d. discharging
e. harvesting
ANS: A PTS: 1
69. Advertising’s long-term role has been described as “Strong advertising represents a deposit in the
brand equity bank.” By “strong” is meant the advertising _____.
a. is repeated at least three times
b. provides sufficient product information as well as an emotional appeal
c. includes convincing arguments for purchase
d. is different, unique, clever, and memorable
e. is credible, informative, and humorous
ANS: D PTS: 1
70. _____ is a measure of how responsive the quantity demanded is to changes in marketing variables
such as price and advertising.
a. Profitability
b. Elasticity
c. Production
d. Disinvesting
e. Connectivity
ANS: B PTS: 1
71. The _____ says that sales volume, or quantity, typically increases when prices are reduced, and vice
versa.
a. elasticity model
b. sales-price curve
c. law of inverse demand
d. converse sales law
e. sales demand equation
ANS: C PTS: 1
72. In general, there are four combinations of advertising and price elasticities. Which of the following is
NOT one of the combinations?
a. grow volume via price discounting
b. increase advertising and/or discount prices
c. maintain the status quo
d. build image via increased advertising
e. decrease prices and advertising expenses
ANS: E PTS: 1
73. In a situation where demand is more advertising elastic than price elastic it is advisable to _____.
a. maintain the status quo
b. build image via increased advertising
c. grow volume via price discounting
d. increase advertising and/or discount prices
e. decrease advertising and discount prices
ANS: B PTS: 1
74. It is possible to translate the idea of advertising “strength” into numerical values by capitalizing on the
concept of _____.
a. advertising elasticity
b. return on investment
c. share of market
d. advertising variance
e. competitive analysis
ANS: A PTS: 1
ESSAY
1. Edwin L. Artzt, former chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble, draws an analogy between exercising
and advertising. Explain the meaning of this analogy, particularly in reference to brand equity.
ANS:
Mr. Artzt is pointing out that advertising, like advertising, provides long-term benefits. Moreover, like
exercise, it is easy to stop advertising or postpone it because there is no immediate penalty for the
interruption. Advertising momentum is like exercise. Stop exercising, and you will lose conditioning
and probably gain weight. Stop advertising, and your brand likely will lose some of its equity and
market share as well.
PTS: 1
ANS:
Advertising’s functions include:
1. Informing. One of advertising’s most important functions is to publicize brands.
Advertising makes consumer aware of new brands, educates them about a brand’s
distinct features and benefits, and facilitates the creating of positive brand images.
Another valuable information role is teaching new uses for existing brands, called usage
expansion advertising.
2. Influencing. Effective advertising influences prospective customers to try advertised
products and services by influencing primary demand (i.e., demand for a product
category) and secondary demand (i.e, demand for a company’s brand).
3. Reminding and increasing salience. Advertising keeps a brand fresh in the consumer’s
memory. Advertising increases salience, increases interest in mature brands, and
influences brand switching.
4. Adding value. Advertising adds value to brands by influencing perceptions.
5. Assisting other company efforts. Advertising is just one member of the marcom team. It
can be used as a vehicle for delivering coupons and sweepstakes or assist the sales force
by preselling a company’s products.
PTS: 1
ANS:
Advertising management is the process of creating ad messages, selecting media in which to place the
ads, and measuring the effects of the advertising effects. Thus, the process consists of three sets of
interrelated activities: advertising strategy, strategy implementation, and assessing ad effectiveness.
Advertising strategy formulation involves four major activities: (1) setting objectives, (2) devising
budgets, (3) message creation, and (4) media strategy. Strategy implementation deals with the tactical,
day-to-day activities that must be performed to carry out an advertising campaign. Finally, only by
evaluating results is it possible to determining whether objectives are being accomplished.
PTS: 1
4. Identify situations where an advertiser would use in-house advertising operations, full-service
advertising agencies, and a la carte arrangements. Your answer should include a discussion of the
advantages and disadvantages of each of the three alternatives.
ANS:
Message strategies and decisions most often are the joint enterprise of the companies that advertising
(the clients) and their advertising agencies. In general, advertisers have three alternative ways to
perform the advertising function: use an in-house operation, purchase advertising services on an
ad-need basis from specialized agencies, or select a full-service advertising agency.
Maintaining an in-house operation necessitates employing an advertising staff and absorbing the
overhead required to maintain the staff’s operations. This arrangement is unjustifiable unless a
company does a large and continuous amount of advertising.
Advertisers can purchase advertising services a la carte. That is, rather than depending on a single
full-service agency to perform all advertising and related functions, an advertiser may recruit the
services of a variety of firms with particular specialties in creative work, media selection, production,
advertising research, and so on. Advantages include the ability to contract for services only when they
are needed and potential cost efficiencies. A disadvantage is that specialists (so-called boutiques)
sometimes lack financial stability and may be poor in terms of cost accountability.
Full-service agencies perform at least four basic functions: (1) creative services, (2) media services,
(3) research services, and (4) account management. Advantages include acquiring the services of
specialists with in-depth knowledge of advertising and obtaining negotiating leverage with the media.
The major disadvantage is the loss of control over the advertising function.
PTS: 1
ANS:
There are three basic methods by which clients compensate agencies for services rendered:
1. Commissions from media. Historically, U.S. advertising agencies charged a standard
commission of 15 percent of the gross amount of billings. The 15 percent compensation
system has been a matter of some controversy, and today only a fraction of advertisers
still pay a 15 percent commission. Rather, a reduced commission system has
experienced increased usage.
2. Labor-based fee system. This is the most common compensation method today, and
agencies monitor their time and bill clients an hourly fee based on time commitment.
3. Outcome- or performance-based programs. These represent the newest approach to
agency compensation and are based on covering costs and incentive payments that are
tied to a brand’s performance goals. This systems encourages, indeed demands, agencies
to use whatever IMC programs are needed to build brand sales.
PTS: 1
6. In general, we can consider four combinations of advertising and price elasticities. Discuss the
implications of each of these situations.
ANS:
Situation 1 (maintain the status quo): Consider a situation where consumers have well-established
brand preferences. The market would not be very price elastic or advertising elastic. Profits would be
maximized by basically adhering to the status quo and maintaining the present price and advertising
levels.
Situation 2 (build image via increased advertising): In a situation where the market is more advertising
elastic than price elastic, it is advisable to spend relatively more on advertising increases than price
discounts. This situation is likely for new products, luxury goods, and products characterized by
symbolism and imagery.
Situation 3 (grow volume via price discounting): This situation is characterized by mature consumer
goods markets where consumers have complete information about most brand in the category and
brand switching is frequent. Because brands are little differentiated, the market is more price than
advertising elastic. Profit increases are obtained more from price discounts than advertising
investments.
Situation 4 (increase advertising and/or discount prices): This is a situation where the market is both
price elastic and advertising elastic. This would be expected when brands in the product category are
inherently differentiable and for products that are seasonal. In this situation, informative advertising
can influence consumers’ beliefs about product attributes, but because brands are similar, consumers
also are eager to compare prices.
PTS: 1
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dien femelrommel en dat vervloekte bidden.… Maar te ver was ’t al,
te diep zat ’t ’r in.… Hij kon ’m doodmaken [114]van verdriet.… zou
dàt nie beter zijn voor ’t wurm?.… Dood?.… dood?.… nee, nee, dat
gaf ’m toch gruwbare angst.… Nee, dan zoo maar.…
Gejaagd liep ie achterweg af, tusschen dorre hagen en kale tuinderij.
Valsche zonneschijn was doorgeschuimd achter roet-blauwe
wolkbouwselen. Warme blankheid kwam er kaatsen uit
sneeuwgrond.
—Kaik da hai je dokter Troost, heel luid in gesprek met B’ron Tuil
van Roozeboom. Wat ’n kwab, natte kip.… nie groete wou ie; pest
van de streek.… had ze allegoar de grond ingeboord.…
Ant, Kees’ vrouw, stond voor deuringang van achterend, fel lichtende
gestalte, tegen donkere krotholte, wat vodde-kleeren de lucht in
uitkloppend, dat ’t stof ’r den mond inwoei. Toen zij Kees achterdoor
’t erf zag opkomen, was ze de woonkamer ingeloopen, vloekend en
morrend in zichzelf.—Twee-meter-hoekig achterend, en ’t
laagdonker woonhok, was alles wat ze hadden. ’t Was nooit zoo bar
geweest. Vunzige benauwing van stank en zoetige valeriaanlucht
zoog door het duistere hok. Kleine kinders kropen met half-naakte
lijfjes door en over elkaar als wriemelkluit, met vuil-snotterige
gezichtjes, bebakken in smeer. Blond-krullig meisje zat te drens-
grienen in ’n hoekje, inwrijvend met vuil, haar armoegoor, leelijk
gezichtje. In den duistersten hoek, ’t verst van ’t kale, cel-hoog
ingemetseld raam, tegen den steenvochtigen muur lag in ’n hout
ledekantje, bruin beschilderd, Wimpie, al drie jaar. Even boven z’n
hoofd duisterde ’n plank, waarop oud verschrompeld, breukvol
speelgoed neergebrokkeld uitstalde, tusschen heiligenprentjes en
beeldjes. Wimpie lag te vroolijken in z’n bed, fijn-luidruchtig en
tingelde met z’n beenig-magere vingertjes tegen ’n doosje op, met
kleurpapier beplakt. Even nog, grauwde in verzwakten lichtschemer
van raamhoek, z’n bleek kaakbeenig doodskopje op, met vale
lichtveegjes op smalle ingeslonken koonen. En lachen maar deed
z’n breë mond als [117]donkere spleet, en neuriën z’n stemmetje, en
z’n groote groenblauwe oogen staarden rond, kàlm, overal heen,
terwijl beenig hoofdje strak-machteloos liggen bleef. Dat was Kees’
Wimpie, tot ruim zes jaar, als ’n mol, zoo dik geweest, in ’n korten tijd
door z’n hevige heupziekte ram-mager uitgeteerd. Wat hadden ze ’n
schik in ’m gehad vroeger.… Net ’n bonk spek, zoo lollig vet als ie
was.
Dat had ie gehoord, bevende ervan eerst, in z’n bedje. Toen was ’t in
z’n brein vastgehaakt en telkens begon ie ’r om te zingen, dat ie
gauw bij den lieven-Heer zou zijn. Alleen ’snachts niet; als ie dàn
wakker lag was ie ’r bang voor, wou ie niet weg van zijn vader en
moeder.…
Als ze ’m niet raakten, aan z’n rechterdij, bij ’t helpen zitten, dan lag
ie den heelen dag door te zingen, wist ie van geen ellende, geen
jammer, geen ziekte, zag je niet schimmen z’n lijkenkopje, daarin z’n
vreemd-onnatuurlijk groote oogenfonkeling uit ’t donkere bedhoekje,
wist ie niet, dat z’n lichaampje lag te verteren, tegen groei in. Alleen
zweette ie van bangheid, als ie de àl heviger ruzie tusschen z’n
moeder, vader en grootmoeder hoorde. Dan kwam er doods-nood op
z’n lijkenkopje, sjokkerde ie met de ellebogen in ’t kussen om alleen
overend te komen, snikte en gilde z’n angst z’n keel uit, z’n borst. En
als vrouw Rams z’n moeder aan ’t opstoken was, liederlijkheden
vertelde, die Kees zou gedaan hebben, verbitterend vrouw Hassel,
dan snikte ie eerst stil, wurmde zich dan op uit z’n bedje,
onderdrukkend dijpijn, en gilde ie amechtig rauw naar ’t achterend:
[118]
—Spuug tog uit foader.… slik de vuilighait tog nie in.… naost je he’k
’n spuugbak.… je kraigt soo t’met nooit-nie lucht.…
Maar de ouë Rams verdomde ’t. Hij wou z’n longen niet d’r uit
braken.… Want dat was allegoar long.… Inslikken deê ie ’t alles
weer; dat most ie, anders ging ie dood. Z’n dochter gaf ie geen
antwoord. Schuw bleef z’n mond mummelen, z’n strot slikken,
donkerde z’n hoofd weer weg in den schouwhoek achter ’t raam,
strekten z’n beenen zich, zat ie weer in ’t verkort gekrompen, na elke
hoestbui nieuwe pruim van mondhoek naar mondhoek zuigend.
Tusschen rumoer van kinderen en ouë Rams lag Wimpie,
machteloos stil te spelen, droevig dat z’n vader zoo stil bij ’t
raamhoek zat, zonder ’n woord te zeggen, tegen hem.
—Sullie benne katteliek.… van màin g’loof, jai hep d’r niks in te
brenge.… [121]
—Seg, gromde plots dof de stem, van z’n vrouw uit achterend;—seg,
weê je dâ d’r t’met gein sint in huis is. Hailige Moagd! wa.… wa.…
mo’k van freete?.… aa’s jai ’t moar sait.… aa’s jai ’t moar sait.… Ikke
wee niks meer.… niks meer.… Hai je nou weer niks kenne finde.…
Main kristis! hoe sel dà rooie.… dà rooie.…
—F’rek! bin ’k gein asem woart? hai je gein senie in spreke.. Nou,
màin ook ’n sorg.… sien je nou moar wà’ d’r te freete is t’met. Enne
dà’ skiet t’met iedere nacht hoase!.… main Kristis.… ’t stoat je
gemeen! geméén de boel te f’rsuipe.… lá main mit de kinders
krepeere.… Vrouw Liese van ’t pad seit ’t.… en buurvrouw Smit seit
’t.… En Teunis weut ’t.… puur de heule wairelt.… allain ikke mag
toekaike.… ikke [122]en de hufters.… sou je je aige nie f’rmorsele.…
Sou je de skoàpe nie lieverst f’rhange.…
—Moar, huilde Ant in scheurender snikken.… D’r is puur nie éen die
d’r boft.… se f’rfloeke ’t.… ’t is doàn.… doàn.. doàn!! Sullie sture
main allegoar weg.… jou maàn hep hullie achter s’n moue.…
buurvrouw—dà’ segge hullie.… kom mi sinte.… dan stoat ’t kloar.…
En Sanse van ’t pad sait.… da’ hai de heule ploats nie ken freete
gaife van sain woar.… en Klaos f’rduufelt ’t ook.… Hai kraigt se nooit
nie binne, sait ie.… hoe sel dá’ rooie.…
Met groote tranen, zwart-biggelend langs d’r wang, stond Ant, boven
Kees’ hoofd uit te staren, op droeven winterweg. En lichtend
glansden haar waas-grijze oogen in het vergriende hoofd, dat het
hooge raam uitkeek, boven schemer-val [123]van kamer. Mager
uitgeknokeld, en schonkig lang, donkerde ’r lijf; gestriemd in
zorgelijke kwaadaardigheid, strakte haar gezicht en nijdig in hoek-
groeven stramden fijn-sluwe lippen. En toch, zóó, in ’r huiltronie,
zaten nog aanhalige trekjes, rond ’r mooien hals, ’r wellust-weeken
mond, waasde er méélij en smart-stilte in de mooi grijs-lichtende
oogen. Stil blokte ze voor Kees, die zenuwachtig opstond, voelend
haar dreigen, niets zei. Uit ’n mandje onder z’n stoel, gooide ie op
den vloer de hongerige geit wat aardappelenschillen toe. Gretig
rukte ’t beestje met dwaas-kleine vreugdesprongetjes naast zich-
zelf, aan ’t touw dat door de kinders om de stoelpoot van grootvá
was heengedraaid. Driftig sleurden ze ’t diertje naar zich toe, dat ’t
touw sneed in z’n mager halsje; z’n bedrukt jodengezichtje
benauwde, in zenuwachtige trilling van neushoeken; z’n pootjes zich
schrapzetten, glibberend over de ruit-steenen en z’n stem weeker
blerde.
Ant kookte van woede, dat Kees zoo kalm bleef. Ze had [124]veel
liever, dat ie uitraasde, dan zoo als nou, zoo treiterig en tòch d’r
sarrend met z’n doffe stem en vrees’lijk rooie oogen, z’n afgemeten
gepraat. Ze wist wel, al had ie ’r ’t nooit gezeid, dat ie dàt om Wimpie
deed.—En ze wist ook wel, dat ie dol was met Wimpie, al wou ie ’t
voor niks ter wereld weten, en al voelde ie geen zier voor de
anderen. Dàt juist was nog ’n macht, ’n houvast voor d’r, om ’m te
krenken, om te zeggen, dat hai, hai ’t kind vermoordde; niemand
anders dan hai. Om ’m te zeggen, al wist ze, dat ie ’r dol van werd,
dat hai om ’t skaap niks gaf. Maar dat durfde ze nog niet er uit te
braken, omdat ze sidderde voor z’n schriklijke woestheid, z’n reuzige
gestalte. Toch, ’t brandde en tonglekte in ’r, de haat, de wreede,
heete lust om dàt ’r nog eens uit te smijten uit te spuwen, pal in z’n
smoel. Om ’m te nekken, te knauwen, hem, dien kerel, die d’r
moeder behandelde als ’n vod, raasde op ’r geloof, op den Heere.…
God-in-den-Hemel, hoe had se sich tog eenmaal an die vent late
koppele.… nou sat se an ’m vast.… kon ze.… mocht ze niet van ’m
af.…
—Nou, de hokkeboas hé’k sproke.… hai gaift nog wel.… vaif kop
steenkole.—
—Vul jai je moag mi blokke.… dá’ geseur.… d’r mot nou sain, nou!
nou!
Kees kookte weer, wat moest ie doen.… d’r was niks.… niks.… En
als ’t iets was, stootte ze hèm nog uit.… Hij liep z’n beene lam.…
Nergens was er wat, nergens.… wat kon ie meer doen.…
—Aa’s je nou es dokter Troost vroag, zei bedeesd Ant, die hep soo
veul te segge hier.…
—Dokter Troost, stoof Kees op, hevig, dat ouë Rams schrikte op z’n
stoel en hoestbui lichtelijk rochelend scheurde in z’n toch
dichtgepersten mond, waaruit twee zware pruimstralen, door
lippengeultje sisten achteréén, tegen konkelpot spattend.
—Dokter Troost,.… hou je bek waif, lá’ main die kerel nie vroage.…
ik sloan sain liever se harses in mekoar, die beul, die se hier allegoar
keldert—.…
—Je laikt puur doas, mopperde Ant, afgebluft. Ze wist nou eenmaal,
dat ie gruwelijk ’t land had aan dokter Troost, die al veertig jaar in
Wiereland, Duinkijk en Zeekijk praktiseerde, en zooals hij ieder zei,
met raad- en daad de tuinders ophielp. En raik aa’s tie was.… dat
had se nog pas hoord van buurman! raik.… raik.… om van te
duuzelen. Ze beefde voor ’m van ontzag. Maar nou was d’r toch niks
[126]tegen in te brengen. Giftiger voelde ze zich worden op z’n
lammen haat tegen dokter Troost.
Wimpie lag stil te snikken van angst, met z’n gezicht tegen den
donkeren muur. De kruip-stoeiende kinders waren om het
beschemerde ledikantje gekropen; kinder-stil en ontdaan nu, in
onbewust voelen, dat vader vreeselijk kwaad was op moeder. Ant
was naar ’t achterend geloopen en ouë Rams sputterde giftiger en
sneller bruine straaltjes achtereen tegen sisbuik van konkelpot aan.
Kees zat te mijmeren, voor het licht-schuwe raam, starend naar
kniezend winterpad. Van avond kon ie niet stroopen, de maan was
er weer. Te licht overal, te licht. Driemaal dit jaar had ie ’t uit nood
gedaan, en ’t skeelde t’met niks of ze hadde ’m. Wat jacht dat
geweest was. En wat lol, toen ze ’m de volgende week gesnapt
hadden voor ’n bijpad met ’n spuit in z’n klauwe.… Dertig dage
hadde ze ’m de doos ingestopt, want boete kon ie niet betale. Maar
dat zitte in soo’n hok, nee nooit meer.… met z’n àlle loerde ze op
hem, op hem.… Andere stroopers konden hun niet veel skele.—Aa’s
se sàin moar pakte dat waa’s d’r eer, betoalde extra.
Schel kraste haar stem, jammerend toch. Uit haar vuile jak-plunje,
loshangend, wasemde bleekpoeierlucht. Ant wees met
ontzaggebaar naar binnen waar Kees zat. Vrouw Peters verbleekte.
Voor dien duivel was ze bang, van die most ze niks hebbe.…
—Seg lamstroalig waif.… sou je t’met denke daa’k main kinders f’r
pelsier la’ hongere?.… hai je dan gain ooge in je smoel, sien je dan
nie woa’k prakkeseer.… Laileke stoppelkat.… wou je màin
dondere.… sorg lieverst da je kindere nie stinke aa’s de pest.… en
goan noà je klaphoedjesfebriek aa’s se skoon benne.…
—Hoor die d’r is!.… slobberde Kees, niet wetend waar ie z’n drift kon
insmoren langer, om Wimpie niet te pijnigen. Schreeuwend gehuil
barstte uit donkere ledekantje. Wimpie hikte en snikte. Ant voelde
dat Kees bang was voor Wim, [128]dat ze dus nog wat kon
doorschelden, uitluchten. Ze haatte den kerel tienmaal heviger, als ie
met d’r geloof begon. En driftig, in gillende stem-aanloopjes, al
hooger en wilder, doorfuried van zenuwwoede, die opgepropt zat in
’r keel, begon ze weer:
—Ik wil nie.… ik wil nie, gilde ze, als ’n razende zich naar Kees toe
dringend en in dreig-wilde zenuwgreep, met vingerkromme haak-
handen vóór z’n gezicht gekrampt, tartte ze ’m. Wimpie scheurde
kreet-huilen uit. ’t Geitje, dat achter ouë Rams’ stoel zat, had Ant
zonder te zien, getrapt, en blerrend-beverig rukte ’t aan tafel-touw,
rechts en links de kamer inloopend, om los te komen. De kinders
hurkten bij Wim’s bed, saamgeklonterd, in doodsnood, spraakloos.
Dientje van negen en Jansje van acht, die boodschappen gedaan
hadden, zoo uit school, stonden op ’t achterend te sidderen, zonder
dat ze binnen durfden gaan. Ze hadden niks los weten te krijgen van
den kruidenier. Alleen de hokkebaas borgde voor zes cent. Maar de
bakker had gedreigd, dat ie voor ’t lest brood bakte, aa’s se niet
behoorlijk d’r drie sente meebrochte.… Hij gaf geen stroopersjong te
vreete had ie er grinnekend bij gezeid tot ’n meid van rijke meneer
uit de plaats. En niks durfden ze nou zeggen, als ze moeder en
vader zoo driftig zagen, tegen elkaar. Nog eens dreigde Kees
bulderzwaar nà:
—Main kind, main kind, bid veur main sonde.… Main Vader vergeef
main skulde.… In schrei-vloed was ’er stem uitgesnikt, gebroken. Er
klonk berusting door ’r nahuil, deernis, en snik-wringend drong ze
haar hoofd op de dekens van Wim, aan ’t voetenend. Wim was in
stumperigen angstnood opgesjokkerd, in de peluw, en huilde mee,
snik-zwaar, in àl prangender gekerm en droge huilsmart.
Rauwe razernij schoot uit z’n stem, die scheurde en gilde tegelijk.
Wou ze nou, zijn Wim, late bidde, late bidde tege sàin.… dat God t’r
gena’ mos sain da’ se sain trouwd had?.… Da kind bidde.… da s’n
vader ’n vuilik was, ’n skoelje.… ’n patser!.…