CULCH. (_slightly scandalized by the tweeds and the brown boots_). Yes, I've been here some little time. I wish you could have managed to come before, because they close early here to-day, and I wanted to go thoroughly over the tour I sketched out before getting the tickets. [_He produces an elaborate outline._ PODB. (_easily_). Oh, _that's_ all right! I don't care where _I_ go! All I want is, to see as much as we can in the time--leave all the rest to you. I'll sit here while you get the tickets. AN OLD LADY (_to_ CLERK, _as_ CULCHARD _is waiting at the counter_). Oh, I _beg_ your pardon, but _could_ you inform me if the 1.55 train from Calais to Basle stops long enough for refreshments anywhere, and where they examine the luggage, and if I can leave my hand-bag in the carriage, and whether there is an English service at Yodeldorf, and is it held in the hotel, and Evangelical, or High Church, and are the sittings free, and what Hymn-book they use? [_The_ CLERK _sets her mind free on as many of these points as he can, and then attends to_ CULCHARD. CULCH. (_returning to_ PODBURY _with two cases bulging with books of coloured coupons_). Here are yours. I should like you to run your eye over them, and see that they are correct, if you don't mind. PODB. (_stuffing them in his pocket_). Can't be bothered now. Take your word for it. CULCH. No--but considering that we start the first thing to-morrow morning, wouldn't it be as well to have some idea of where you're going? And, by the way, excuse me, but is it altogether prudent to keep your tickets in an outside pocket like that? I always keep mine, with my money, in a special case in an inner pocket, with a buttoned flap--then I know I _can't_ lose them. PODB. Anything for a quiet life! (_He examines his coupons._) Dover to Ostend? Never been there--like to see what Ostend's like. But why didn't you go by Calais?--_shorter_, you know. CULCH. Because I thought we'd see Bruges and Ghent on our way to Brussels. PODB. Bruges, eh? Capital! Anything particular going on there? No? It don't matter. And Ghent--let's see, wasn't that where they brought the good news from? Yes, we'll stop at Ghent--if we've time. Then--Brussels? Good deal of work to be done there, I suppose, sightseeing, and that? I like a place where you can moon about without being bothered myself; now, at _Brussels_--never mind, I was only thinking. CULCH. It's the best place to get to Cologne and up the Rhine from. Then, you see, we go rather out of our way to Nuremberg---- PODB. Where they make toys? _I_ know--pretty festive there, eh? CULCH. I don't know about festive--but it is--er--a quaint, and highly interesting old place. Then I thought we'd dip down to Constance, and strike across the Alps to the Italian Lakes. PODB. Italian Lakes? First-rate! Yes, _they're_ worth seeing, I suppose. Think they're better than the _Swiss_ ones, though?