“It couldn’t be helped. However, we’ve found each other now.”
“Yes. We must see something of each other now, eh? Let’s go cycling together ... or buy a motor-car between us.”
Brauws roared with laughter again:
“Happy devil!” he shouted.
“I?” cried Van der Welcke, a little huffed. “What’s there happy about me? I sometimes feel very miserable, very miserable indeed.”
Brauws understood that he was referring to his marriage.
“Here’s my boy,” said Van der Welcke, showing Addie’s photograph.
“A good face. What’s he going to be?”
“He’s going into the diplomatic service. I say, shall we take a stroll?”
“No, I’d rather sit here and talk.”