CULCH. (_tolerantly_). I can get the coupons changed for Switzerland if you prefer it. The Swiss Lakes may be the more picturesque. PODB. Yes, we'll do Switzerland--and run back by Paris, eh? Not much to do in Switzerland, though, after all! CULCH. (_with a faintly superior smile_). There are one or two mountains, I believe. But, personally, I should prefer Italy. PODB. So should I. No fun in mountains--unless you go up 'em. What do you think of choosing some quiet place, where nobody ever goes--say in France or Germany--and, sticking to _that_. More of a rest, wouldn't it be? such a bore having to know a lot of people! CULCH. I don't see how we can change _all_ the tickets, really. If you like, we could stop a week at St. Goarshausen. PODB. What's St. Goarshausen like--cheery? CULCH. I understood the idea was to keep away from our fellow countrymen, and as far as I can remember St. Goarshausen, it is not overrun with tourists--we should be quiet enough _there_. PODB. That's the place for _me_, then. Or could we push on to Vienna? Never seen Vienna. CULCH. If you like to give up Italy altogether. PODB. What do you say to _beginning_ with Italy and working back? Too hot, eh? Well, then, we'll let things be as they are--I dare say it will do well enough. So _that's_ settled! CULCH. (_to himself on parting, after final arrangements concluded_). I wish Rose had warned me that Podbury's habit of mind was so painfully desultory. (_He sighs._) However---- PODB. (_to himself_). Wonder how long I shall take to get over Culchard's manner. (_He sighs._) I wish old Hughie was coming--he'd give me a leg over! [_He walks on thoughtfully._ CHAPTER II. _Podbury picks up Acquaintances._ SCENE--_Courtyard of the "Grand Hotel du Lion Belgique et d'Albion," at Brussels. It is just after table d'hote_; PODBURY _and_ CULCHARD _are sitting on a covered terrace, with coffee._ PODBURY (_producing a pipe_). Not such a bad dinner! Expect they'll rook us a lot for it, though. Rather fun, seeing the waiters all troop in with a fresh course, when the proprietor rang his bell. Like a ballet at the Empire--eh? CULCHARD (_selecting a cigarette_). I'm not in a position to say. I don't affect those places of entertainment myself. PODB. Oh! Where _do_ you turn in when you want to kick up your heels a bit? Madame Tussaud's? I say, why on earth didn't you talk to that old Johnny next to you at dinner? He was trying all he knew to be friendly. CULCH. Was he? I dare say. But I rather understood we came out with the idea of keeping out of all that. PODB. Of course. _I'm_ not keen about getting to know people. He had no end of a pretty daughter, though. Mean to say you didn't spot her?