So they decided both to call on Constance that afternoon; and they were on the point of starting when the bell rang and Adolphine van Saetzema entered:
"What a nui-sance," thought Cateau. "Now the carriage will ab-solute-ly have to wait."
It was raining; and this meant that the brougham would get wet. The horse was jobbed; the coachman did not count: he was only a man.
"Ah, Adolph-ine! This is nice of you...."
"I see your carriage is at the door.... Are you going out?"
"Yes, pres-ently, to pay a visit ... or two...."
"So am I. But don't let me keep you. I am going to Constance this afternoon."
"So are we."
"Oh, are you? I would really rather have waited till she had called on me."
"Oh," said Cateau, "it looks as if we weren't friend-ly, to cal-culate it so close-ly, don't you think, Adolph-ine? But do sit down, Adolph-ine."