“I don’t see it,” returned van Rheijn; “he looks for all the world like an umbrella in its case.”
At that moment fair Laurentia turned and cast her eye over the group of young gentlemen seated behind her. They all greeted and bowed. Van Rheijn, however, had a gracious smile all to himself—it might have been perhaps in acknowledgment of his comparison of van Beneden with the umbrella.
“Oh, you sly fox,” whispered one with a nudge, “that is why you took me up so sharply just now? eh?”
“Do shut up!” said van Rheijn, “I wonder you are not ashamed of yourself for talking such nonsense!”
“Have you received an invitation yet?” asked Grashuis, wishing to turn the conversation into another channel.
“What invitation?”
“To Lim Ho’s wedding party.”
“Yes, I got one the other day,” said one.
“And so have I,” said another.
“That is a curious custom,” remarked van Nerekool, “for the bridegroom to give the wedding party.”