The two men walked out into the garden. There was a sort of patio-like area right outside the living room. Some other coupled guests could also be seen out here. André and Laurits took a stroll through the flower garden. They talked about anything, really. It had been quite some years since they had last seen each other, what with Laurits now living so far away. When they had been just boys, they had been very good friends. Laurits had lived in the city under the Protectorate, but when he had entered the College, he moved away. André wasn't really allowed to travel, and Laurits had since become extremely busy. So they turned to correspondence, and for many years they were pen-pals.

Sylver, André's younger brother, had been born after Laurits had moved away, and so the two of them had never met. Laurits had, however, heard of Sylver from André in his letters, and knew not a great deal, but some about Sylver. He had heard that he was rather timid in nature and preferred the study above his own room even. Exceptionally bright for a kid his age. Laurits had a very clear picture of a sweet, gentle boy and likened that image to his remembrance of André in his youth; not quite the same.

"'Scuse me! Comin' thru'!" They both heard a voice say, as something zoomed past them. Laurits' image of Sylver was immediately replaced.

"Not quite what I had in mind," Said Laurits, looking into the living room where Sylver had appeared before his mother and was currently about to present to her what could only be a critter of some slimy kind or maybe a frog. Laurits sent André a frowny mouth and some raised eyebrows in an ironic "Well I do wonder what will happen now" sorta way. Mrs. Kannenborg, alongside some of the guests, gasped loudly, while others burst into laughter. Mrs. Kannenborg reprimanded Sylver, though not harshly. There were guests present, after all. Sylver ran back outside. Again he zoomed past André and Laurits. Sylver disappeared amongst some shrubbery and some garden foliage.

"Don't run too far, the bell will sound soon!" André half-yelled into the garden.

"I'm alright" A voice called back, surprisingly far away.

André shrugged slightly and turned back to Laurits. They continued their talk for a while more, though slowly making their way towards the living room. They entered the light coming from the inside and the dinner bell rang. The guests started gathering and moving towards the dining hall. André called out to Sylver. No answer. He called again. A rustle of leaves. André sighed, relieved, and moved to the dining hall as well.