Page:Later Life (1919).djvu/77

Rh "No, my dear fellow, home."

"Home? Can you go home now? Won't you come to the Witte? I say, do let me introduce you to my wife, to my brother-in-law . . ."

Brauws started:

"No, Hans, honestly . . . No, no . . . What's the good? . . ."

Constance heard and could not help smiling. She walked on with Van Vreeswijck and Paul.

"Yes, yes," Van der Welcke insisted.

Brauws no doubt realized that Constance had heard, for he said, in a voice of despair:

"Very well then, Hans . . ."

"Constance! Paul!" cried Van der Welcke, proud of his friend, and caught them up.

He would have liked to introduce Brauws to the whole world, to the whole audience streaming out of Diligentia.

"Let me introduce you: my friend, Max Brauws; my wife; my brother-in-law, Van Lowe."

They shook hands. Brauws remained standing in front of Constance, shyly and awkwardly. She tried to pay him a compliment that would not sound too obvious; and, like the tactful woman that she was, she succeeded. Paul also said something; they walked on, Van Vreeswijck silently amused at Van der Welcke's excitement and Brauws' awkwardness.

"And are you really going home? Won't you