d fellow, the way he spoke: it was astounding.... I knew him years ago at Leiden. He was a queer chap even then. He did not belong to any particular club, not to ours either: his family is nothing o

emendous memory. He's travelled a lot and done all sorts of things, but I can't find out exactly what. Now he's lecturing. This

ke in all the large Dutch towns and in many of the smaller ones. When he wa

his evening. He's grand. You know, I can never liste

said Paul, who was there. "But I lo

a of his all rot. But that makes no difference: the chap speaks magnif

of Diligentia-the proceeds were to go to the fund for the Boer wo

n Vreeswijck: look, there are the Van der Heuvel Steijns; and there's the French minister; and there, as I live, is Van Naghel, with his colleague from the Treasury.... And look,

s entrance, to

s wearing a frock-coat. I suppose he's

political news, listened, was at once interested, wondered vaguely for a moment that she lived like that, from day to day, without knowing the times in which she lived. The present took shape before her in those few sentences of Brauws'. Then he spoke of Peace, which would be essential sooner or later, which was already making its joyous way into the mind of the nations, even though they were actually still waging war upon one another. It was as

rush, when they saw Van Vreeswij

swijck, bowing. "What do

said Constanc

he is too earnest. He means all he says.

d through the close-packed crowd, and declared t

the hum of the crowd floa

stolid Haguers

man," said Va

is!" exclaimed

zed his hand. The others drew near. Van Vreeswijck, out of politeness, stayed by Con

" they heard him ask

ear fello

e to the Witte? I say, do let me introduc

s sta

y.... No, no.... W

help smiling. She walked on

Van der Welc

t Constance had heard, for h

ll then,

n der Welcke, proud of his

uws to the whole world, to the whole

iend, Max Brauws; my wife; m

pliment that would not sound too obvious; and, like the tactful woman that she was, she succeeded. Paul also said

n't you come to the Witte?" Van de

t would you have m

're goi

but I'll walk a bit

e, he bowed vaguely to Const

ening, with a sharp frost and

ything fine-music, a play, or a speech like to-night'

ling over with enthusiasm. "You've converted me! I

ve a sudd

ing at me again!" said Van d

I come and fetch you in a mo

laughed t

" cried Van der We

ne," said Brauws. "An

" cried Van der Welcke, in delighted

he was soon eagerly discussing

the Kerkhoflaan,

ou all c

they would be glad to come and hav

it's so

for

Max," said Va

ed his queer, so

good of my c

with a shy bow.

possible," said Van V

at what time he's coming for me

ssion of deep-drawn sighs and spasmodic gasps, as if to take breath after its exertions; and this monster as it were of living and breathing iron, odorous of petrol-the acrid smel

ese 'sewing-machines,' as Hans calls th

sping motor-car and smiled at th

ite a tumult ou

d to 'sewing-machines

ry graphic w

is laugh attractive and his voic

his bashfulness, "I hope you were not ang

en't at all

use can I make? I have lost the

sm

," she sai

ng ... you know .

ou had already said so many delightful thing

said nothing this

e don't trouble ... and make yourself at home. Henri will b

tairs, dressing excitedly; he was rush

ck me out a tie!

ose to go. Brau

hurriedly, "Hans a

u refus

angry and don't let Hans be angry either a

inviting

es

e delighted to see you

ver yo

morr

reat pl

lone, or shall I ask Van

nly, Van Vre

obody

ut I mustn't d

n't you, in

ushing down the stair

e. She's a first-rater! And here's my boy.... Addie, eat a bit

ate his bread and butte

s of time

ound a bit first. Quick, quick! Take your

uldn't find it, shouted up the stairs, made Truitje look all over the place for

chine! ... Tock-tock-tock-tock, tock-to

of him, made him get into

off,

vrouw. Till t

waving his hand to her, while Brauws was showing Van der Welcke-much too quick, too wild,