PODB. (_sulkily_). Neither, as it happens. I'm for Bingen, too, as you won't go anywhere else. Though you _did_ say when we started, that the advantage of travelling like this was that we could go on or stop just as the fancy took us! CULCH. (_calmly_). I did, my dear Podbury. But it never occurred to me that the fancy would take you to get tired of a place before you got there! PODB. (_as he walks forwards_). Hang that fellow! I know I shall punch his head some day. And She didn't seem to care whether I stayed or not. (_Hopefully._) But you never _can_ tell with women! [_He returns to his camp-stool and the letter-reading Old Ladies._ CHAPTER VI. Culchard makes a little Miscalculation. SCENE.--_Garden of the Hotel Victoria at Bingen, commanding a view of the Rhine and the vine-terraced hills, which are bathed in warm afternoon sunlight. Under the mopheaded acacias_, CULCHARD _and_ PODBURY _are sitting smoking. At a little distance from them, are a Young Married Couple, whose honeymoon is apparently in its last quarter._ THE BRIDEGROOM (_lazily, to Bride, as she draws another chair towards her for a foot-rest_). How many _more_ chairs do you want? BRIDE (_without looking at him_). I should think you could spare me one--you can hardly sit on three at once! [_After this interchange of amenities, they consider themselves absolved from any further conversational efforts._ PODB. (_to_ CULCH., _resuming a discussion_). I know as well as you do that we are booked for Nuremberg; but what _I_ say is--that's no earthly reason why we should _go_ there! CULCH. No reason why _you_ should go, unless you wish it, certainly. _I_ intend to go. PODB. Well, it's beastly selfish, that's all! I know _why_ you're so keen about it, too. Because the Trotters are going. CULCH. (_colouring_). That's an entire mistake on your part. Miss Trotter has nothing to do with it. I don't even know whether she's going or not--for certain. PODB. No, but you've a pretty good idea that she _is_, though. And I _know_ how it will be. You'll be going about with her all the time, and I shall be shunted on to the old man! I don't _see_ it, you know! (CULCH. _remains silent. A pause._ PODBURY _suddenly begins to search his pockets._) I say--here's a pretty fix! Look here, old fellow, doosid annoying thing, but I can't find my purse--must have lost it somewhere! CULCH. (_stoically_). I can't say I'm surprised to hear it. It's awkward, certainly. I suppose I shall have to lend you enough to go home with--it's all I can do; but I'll do that with--er--pleasure. PODB. (_staring_). Go home? Why, I can wire to the governor for more, easily enough. We shall have to stay here till it comes, that's all. CULCH. And give up Nuremberg? Thank you! PODB. I rather like this place, you know--sort of rest. And we could always nip over to Ems, or Homburg, if it got too slow, eh?