He was shy, looked out at the gasping motor-car and smiled at the crowd that had gathered round:
“I’m causing quite a tumult outside your door.”
“They ought to be used to ‘sewing-machines’ at the Hague by now.”
“That’s a very graphic word of Hans’.”
They both laughed. She thought his laugh attractive and his voice soft and restful to listen to.
“Mevrouw,” he said, suddenly, overcoming his bashfulness, “I hope you were not angry that I was so ungracious yesterday?...”
“But you weren’t at all ungracious.”
“Yes, I was, very. But what excuse can I make? I have lost the habit ... of just talking....”
She smiled:
“To ladies,” she said, jokingly.