“Nothing much,” he said, jestingly. “Not worth talking about. There have been many women in my life ... and yet they were not there.”
Van der Welcke reflected.
“Women,” he said, pensively. “Sometimes, you know....”
“Hans, are you in love?”
“No, no!” said Van der Welcke, starting. “No, I’ve been fairly good.”
“Fairly good?”
“Yes, only fairly...”
“You’re in love,” said Brauws, decisively.
“You’re mad!” said Van der Welcke. “I wasn’t thinking of myself.... And, now, what are you doing in the Hague?”
Brauws laughed: