When I reached my brother’s house I found him in bed, sick; the doctors said it was a dropsy, I don’t know how that might be, for he drank more gin than any man in Holland, and hated water all his life. We were twins, but no one would have thought so, I looked so thin and meagre beside him.
Well, since I was there, I resolved to see the sights of the town; and the next morning, after breakfast, I set out by myself, and wandered about till evening. Now there were many things to be seen—very strange things too; the noise, and the din, and the bustle, addled and confused me; the people were running here and there, shouting as if they were mad, and there were great flags hanging out of the windows, and drums beating, and, stranger than all, I saw little soldiers with red breeches and red shoulder-knots, running about like monkeys.
“What is all this?” said I to a man near me.
“Methinks,” said he, “the burgomaster himself might well know what it is.”
“I am not the burgomaster,” quoth I, “I am his brother, and only came from Rotterdam yesterday.”
“Ah! then,” said another, with a strange grin, “you didn’t know these preparations were meant to welcome your arrival.”
“No,” said I; “but they are very fine, and if there were not so much noise, I would like them well.”
And so, I sauntered on till I came to the great Platz, opposite the cathedral—that was a fine place—and there was a large man carved in cheese over one door, very wonderful to see; and there was a big fish, all gilt, where they sold herrings; but, in the town-hall there seemed something more than usual going on, for great crowds were there, and dragoons were galloping in and galloping out, and all was confusion.
“What’s this?” said I. “Are the dykes open?”
But not one would mind me; and then suddenly I heard some one call out my name.