"And what have women done to you?" asked Van der Welcke, gaily.
Brauws laughed:
"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:
"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
