“I’m going to give lectures, not only here, but all over Holland.”
“Lectures?” cried Van der Welcke, in astonishment. “What made you think of that? Do you do it to make money? Don’t you find it a bore to stand jawing in front of a lot of people for an hour at a time?”
“Not a bit,” said Brauws. “I’m lecturing on Peace.”
“Peace?” cried Van der Welcke, his blue orbs shining in wide-eyed young amazement through the blue haze of his cigarette-smoke. “What Peace?”
“Peace, simply.”
“You’re getting at me,” cried Van der Welcke.
Brauws roared; and Van der Welcke too. They laughed for quite a minute or two.
“Hans,” said Brauws, “how is it possible for any one to change as little as you have done? In all these years! You are just as incapable as in the old days of believing in anything serious.”
“If you imagine that there’s been nothing serious in my life,” said Van der Welcke, vexed.
And, with great solemnity, he once more told his friend about Constance, about his marriage, his shattered career.