THE SHADOW OF WAR
It was finally agreed that a part at least of the responsibility for the
disturbance which marred the harmony of the Dominion Day celebration at
Wolf Willow upon this occasion must rest on the shoulders of Mr. Alvin
P. Jones. The impressive presentation by Mr. Gilchrist of Canada's
greatness and the splendour of her future appeared to stimulate Mr.
Jones to unusual flights of oratory. Under ordinary circumstances Mr.
Jones' oratory was characterised by such extraordinary physical vigour,
if not violence, and by such a fluency of orotund and picturesque
speech, that with the multitude sound passed for eloquence and
platitudes on his lips achieved the dignity of profound wisdom. Building
upon the foundation laid by the previous speaker, Mr. Jones proceeded to
extol the grandeur of the Dominion, the wonders of her possessions, the
nobility of her people, the splendour of her institutions, the glory of
her future. He himself was not by birth a Canadian, but so powerful a
spell had the Dominion cast over him that he had become a Canadian by
adoption. Proud of his American birth and citizenship, he was even more
proud of his Canadian citizenship. He saw before him a large number of
American citizens who had come to throw in their lot with the Dominion
of Canada. He believed they had done a wise thing, and that among the
most loyal citizens of this Dominion none would be found more devoted to
the material welfare and the spiritual well-being of Canada than those
who came from the other side of the line. He saw a number of those
who were sometimes improperly called foreigners. He said “improperly”
because whatever their origin, whether Ruthenian, Swede, French, German,
or whatever their race might be, here they were simply Canadians with
all the rights of Canadian citizenship assured to them. He was glad to
see so many of his German friends present. They represent a great nation
whose achievements in every department of human activity, in learning,
in industrial enterprise, in commerce, were the envy and admiration of
the world (excursus here in glorification of the great German people):
To these, his German fellow citizens, he would say that no matter how
deep their devotion to the Vaterland (Mr. Jones pronounced it with a
“v”) he knew they would be loyal citizens of Canada. The German Empire
had its differences and disagreements with Great Britain, the American
Republic has had the same, and indeed it was possible that there were a
number present who might not cherish any very passionate regard for the
wealthy, complaisant, self-contained somewhat slow-going old gentleman,
John Bull. But here in Canada, we were all Canadians! First, last and
all the time, Canadians (great applause). Whatever might be said of
other countries, their wealth, their power, their glory, Canada was
good enough for him (more applause, followed by a further elaboration of
Canada's vast resources, etc., etc.). Canada's future was unclouded by
the political complications and entanglements of the older countries in
Europe. For one hundred years they had been at peace with the Republic
south of that imaginary line which delimited the boundaries, but which
did not divide the hearts of these two peoples (great applause). For
his part, while he rejoiced in the greatness of the British Empire he
believed that Canada's first duty was to herself, to the developing here
of a strong and sturdy national spirit. Canada for Canadians, Canada
first, these were the motives that had guided his life both in public
service and as a private citizen (loud applause). In this country there
was a place for all, no matter from what country they came, a place for
the Ruthenian (enumeration of the various European and Asiatic states
from which potential citizens of Canada had come). Let us join hands
and hearts in building up a great empire where our children, free
from old-world entanglements, free to develop in our own way our own
institutions (eloquent passages on freedom) in obedience to laws of
our own making, defended by the strong arms and brave hearts of our
own sons, aided (here the speaker permitted himself a smile of gentle
humour) by the mighty wing of the American eagle (references to the
Monroe Doctrine and its protection of Canada's shores) we shall abide
in peace and security from all aggression and all alarm. (Thunderous and
continued applause, during which the speaker resumed his seat.)
It was old McTavish who precipitated the trouble. The old Highlander
belonged to a family that boasted a long line of fighting forbears. Ever
since The Forty-five when the German king for the time occupying the
English throne astutely diverted the martial spirit of the Scottish
clans from the business of waging war against his own armies, their
chief occupation, to that of fighting his continental foes, The McTavish
was to be found ever in the foremost ranks of British men-of-war,
joyously doing battle for his clan and for his king, who, if the truth
were told, he regarded with scant loyalty. Like so many of the old
timers in western Canada, this particular McTavish had been at one time
a servant of the Hudson Bay Company and as such had done his part in the
occupation, peaceful and otherwise, of the vast territories administered
by that great trading company. In his fiery fighting soul there burned a
passionate loyalty to the name and fame of the land of his birth, and a
passionate pride in the Empire under whose flag the Company's ships had
safely sailed the northern seas and had safely traded in these vast wild
lands for nearly three hundred years. Deep as this loyalty and pride in
the soul of him there lay a cold suspicion of the Yankee. He had met him
in those old days of trade war, had suffered and had seen his Company
suffer from his wiles, and finally had been compelled to witness with
bitter but unavailing hate the steady encroachment of those rival
traders upon the ancient prerogatives and preserves of his own Company,
once the sole and undisputed lords of the northern half of the American
continent. In the person of Mr. Alvin P. Jones, McTavish saw the
representative of those ancient enemies of his, and in the oration to
which he had just listened he fancied he detected a note of disloyalty
to the flag, a suggestion of a break in the allegiance of Canada to the
Empire, and worst of all, a hint that Canada might safely depend for
protection upon something other than the naval power which had guarded
the shores of his country these many years from enemy invasion. These
things wrought in old McTavish an uncontrollable anger, and no sooner
had the tumultuous applause died away than he was on his feet and in a
high, rasping voice demanding audience.
“Will ye per-r-rmit me, Mr. Chair-r-rman, a few words in regar-r-d
to the remarkable address to which we haf listened?” Permission was
graciously granted by the chairman, surprise and complaisant delight
mantling the steaming face of Mr. Alvin P. Jones, albeit at his heart
there lurked a certain uneasiness, for on more than one occasion had he
suffered under the merciless heckling of the little Scotchman.
“'Tis a wonderful address we haf been hearing, an eloquent address. Some
of it iss true an' some of it iss lies [commotion in the audience--the
smile on Mr. Alvin P. Jones's face slightly less expansive]. The speaker
has told us about Canada, its great extent, its vast r-r-resources.
Some of us haf known about these things while yet his mother was
still sucking him [snickers of delight from the younger members of the
audience and cries of, 'Go to it, Mack]. 'Tis a great Dominion whatefer
and will be a gr-r-reater Dominion yet so lang as it keeps to right
ways. He has told us of the mighty achievements of Cher-r-rmany. I will
jist be askin' him what has Cher-r-rmany done for this country or for
any country but her ainsel? She has cluttered us up wi' pot-metal,
cutlery an' such things, an' cheap cloth that ye can put yer finger
through, an' that will be done in a month's wear-r-ring. Musick, ye'll
be sayin'! Musick! I was in Calgary not long since. They took me to what
they will be callin' a music-kale [delighted roars of laughter from the
audience]. A music-kale indeed! I haf hear-r-rd of cauld kale an' het
kale, of kale porridge an' kale brose, but nefer haf I hear-r-rd before
of a music-kale. Bless me, man, I cud make neither head nor tail o' it,
and they wer-r-re no better themsel's. They had printed notes about it
an' a bit man makin' a speech about it, but not one of them knew a
thing about the hale hypotheck. Musick, quare musick I call it! If it
is musick yer wantin', gif me Angus there wi' the pipes [wild cheers
testifying to Angus's popularity] or the master-r-r himsel' an' the
young lady here [this with a courteous bow to Miss Switzer] wi' their
feeddles. That's what I will be callin' musick. An' lairnin'! Lairnin'
that will lay sacraleegious hands upon the Sacred Word, an' tear-r-r it
to bits. That like thing the Cher-r-rman lairnin' is doin', and ye can
ask Mr. Rhye yonder. An' other things the Cher-r-rmans are doin' that
keep us all from restin' quiet in our beds. Let them come her-r-re to us
if they will. Let them come from all the countries of the ear-r-rth.
We will share wi' them what we haf, provided they will be behavin'
themsel's and mindin' their peeziness. But this man is sayin' somethin'
more. He is tellin' us how safe we are, an' that the great Republic
south o' us will be guar-r-rdin' us frae our enemies. I doubt it will
be the fox guar-r-rdin' the chicken frae the weasel. Now I'll ask this
gentleman what it is that has guar-r-rded these shores for the past two
hundred and fifty year-r-rs? I will tell him--the Br-r-ritish Navy. What
has kept the peace of Europe once an' again? The Br-r-ritish Navy.
Aye, what has protected America not once or twice frae her enemies? The
Br-r-ritish Navy, an' that same Br-r-ritish Navy is gude enough fer me.”
The tumultuous din that followed the conclusion of the cantankerous
little Highlander's speech was beyond all words, but before the chairman
could get to his feet, through the uproar a voice strident with passion
was demanding a hearing. “Mr. Ernest Switzer has the floor,” said the
chairman.
The young man's face was white and his voice shaking when he began. “Mr.
Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: I stand here to claim the fair play that
you say is British for myself and for my race. I am a Canadian citizen.
I was born in America, but my blood is German. As a Canadian citizen,
as an American by birth, as a German by blood, I have been insulted
to-night, and I demand the right to reply to the man who has insulted
me. There are Canadians here to guard their own honour; the Americans
can be trusted to protect themselves. Germany is not here to refute the
slanders uttered against her, but I claim the honour to speak for that
great nation, for she is a great nation. There is none greater. There is
none so great in the world to-day.” The young man's voice rang out with
passionate conviction, his pale set face, his blue eyes flaming with
rage proclaimed the intensity of his emotion. Before his flaming passion
the audience was subdued into a silence tense and profound. “What has
Germany done for the world? this man asks. I would like to ask in reply
where he has lived for the last twenty-five years, and if during those
years he has read anything beyond his local newspaper? What has Germany
done for the world? Germany has shown the way to the world, even to
America, in every activity of life, in industrial organisation, in
scientific inquiry in the laboratory and in the practical application
of science to every-day life. Where do your philosophers go for their
training? To German universities where they seek to understand the
philosophy of the immortal Emanuel Kant. Where in the world has social
reform reached its highest achievement? In Germany. Where do you go for
your models for municipal government? To Germany. Mention any department
of human enterprise to-day and in that department Germany stands easily
in the lead. This man asks what has kept Europe at peace all these
years, and suggests the British Navy, the one constant menace to the
peace of Europe and to the freedom of the seas. No, if you ask who has
kept the peace of Europe I will tell you. The German Kaiser, Wilhelm II.
To him and to the Empire of which he is the glorious head Europe owes
its peace and the world its greatest blessings to-day.”
When Switzer sat down a half a dozen men were on their feet demanding
to be heard. Above the din a quiet, but penetrating voice was
distinguished. “Mr. Romayne has the floor,” said the Reverend Mr.
Rhye, who himself was tingling with desire for utterance. Mr. Romayne's
appearance and voice suggested the boredom of one who felt the whole
thing to be rather a nuisance.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” he began, “I must apologise for venturing to
speak at all, having so recently come to this country, though I am glad
to say that I have been received with such cordial kindness that I do
not feel myself a stranger.”
“You're all right, Jack,” cried a voice. “You're right at home.”
“I am at home,” said Jack, “and that is one thing that makes me able
to speak. Few of you can understand the feeling that comes to one who,
travelling six thousand miles away from the heart of the Empire, finds
himself still among his own folk and under the same old flag. Nor can I
express the immense satisfaction and pride that come to me when I find
here in this new world a virile young nation offering a welcome to men
of all nationalities, an equal opportunity to make home and fortune for
themselves, and find also these various nationalities uniting in the one
purpose of building solid and secure an outpost of the Empire to which
we all belong. I rise chiefly to say two things. The first is that
if Germany continues in her present mind she will be at war with our
country within a very short time. The young man who has just sat down
assures us that Germany is a great country. Let us at once frankly grant
this fact, for indeed it is a fact. Whether she is as wonderful or
as great as she thinks herself to be may be doubted. But it is of
importance to know that the opinion stated here to-night is the opinion
held by the whole body of the German people from the Kaiser to the
lowest peasant in the Empire. The universal conviction throughout that
Empire is that not only is Germany the greatest nation on earth, but
that it has a divine mission to confer her own peculiar quality of
civilisation upon the other nations of Europe, and indeed upon the whole
world. We might not quarrel with Germany for cherishing this pleasing
opinion in regard to herself, but when this opinion is wrought into a
purpose to dominate the whole world in order that this mission might
be accomplished the thing takes on a somewhat serious aspect. Let me
repeat, Germany is a great nation, marvellously organised in every
department of her life, agricultural, manufacturing, educational,
commercial. But to what intent? What is the purpose dominating this
marvellous organisation? The purpose, Ladies and Gentlemen, is war. The
supreme industry of the German nation is the manufacturing of a mighty
war machine. I challenge the gentleman who has just spoken to deny
either of these statements, that Germany believes that she has a
definite mission to lift up the other nations of Europe to her own high
level and that to fulfil this mission it is necessary that she be in a
position of control.” The speaker paused for a moment or two. “He cannot
deny these because he knows they are true. The second thing I wish to
say is that the Kaiser means war and is waiting only for the favourable
moment. I believe it is correct to say that for many years after his
accession to the throne he used his influence on the side of peace, but
I have every reason to believe that for some years past he has cherished
another purpose, the purpose of war.”
At this point Switzer sprang to his feet and cried, “I challenge the
truth of that statement. Modern European history proves it to be false,
and again and again the Kaiser has prevented war. So much is this
the case that the trustees of the only European fund that recognises
distinguished service in the interests of peace bestowed upon the Kaiser
the Nobel Prize.”
“That is quite true,” replied Mr. Romayne. “But let me recall to this
young man's mind a few facts. In 1875 Bismarck was determined to make
war upon France. He was prevented by the united action of England
and Russia. Germany made the same attempt in '87 and '91. In 1905 so
definite was the threat of war that France avoided it only by dismissing
her war minister, Delcasse. Perhaps my young friend remembers the
Casablanca incident in 1908 where again the Kaiser threatened France
with war. Indeed, for the last twenty years, even while he was doubtless
anxious to maintain peace, he has been rattling his sword in his
scabbard and threatening war against the various nations of Europe. In
most of these cases even when he wanted peace he bluffed with threats
of war. Then came the Agadir incident in 1911 when once more the Kaiser
bluffed. But Great Britain called his bluff that time and the great War
Lord had to back down with great loss of prestige not only with his own
people but with the whole of Europe. It hurt the Kaiser to think that
any nation in Europe should move in any direction without his consent.
Agadir taught him that he must quit bluffing or make up his mind to
fight.”
Again Switzer was upon his feet. “This is a slanderous falsehood,” he
cried. “How does this man know?”
“I happened to be there,” was the quiet reply.
“How do we know?” again cried Switzer.
“Will you kindly repeat that remark?” said Mr. Romayne quietly.
“I believe this statement,” shouted Switzer, “to be a slanderous
falsehood.”
“If you accuse me of falsehood,” said Romayne even more quietly, “that
is a matter of which we shall not discuss here, but later. But these
statements that I have made are history. All Germany knows, all Europe
knows, that at Agadir the Kaiser backed down. He was not ready to fight,
and he lost prestige by it. When Italy, one of the Triple Alliance, went
to war against Turkey without consulting him, this lowered still further
German prestige. In the late Balkan War Germany was again humiliated.
She backed the wrong horse. Her protege and pupil in war, Turkey, was
absolutely beaten. These things convince me that Germany knows that her
hope of dominating Europe is rapidly waning, and she believes that
this hope can only be realised by war and, therefore, I repeat that the
Kaiser and his people are only waiting a favourable moment to launch war
upon Europe and more particularly upon the British Empire, which,
along with the great American democracy, stands between her and the
realisation of her dream.”
“The British Empire!” cried Switzer scornfully as Romayne took his seat,
“the British Empire! at the first stern blow this ramshackle empire
will fall to pieces. Then Great Britain will be forced to surrender her
robber hold upon these great free states which she has stolen and which
she now keeps in chains.” (Cries of “Never!” “Rot!” “Shut your trap!”)
Switzer sprang to his feet and, shaking his fist in their faces, cried:
“I know what I am saying. This you will see before many months have
passed.”
Again Romayne rose to his feet and waited till a silence fell upon the
audience. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said solemnly, “this German officer
knows what he is talking about. That Germany within a few months will
make her supreme attempt to smash the British Empire I believe is
certain. I am equally certain that the result of that attempt will not
be what this gentleman anticipates and desires.”
For some moments the silence remained unbroken. Then young Monteith
sprang to his feet and led the audience in a succession of mad cheers
that indicated the depth of passion to which they were stirred. After
the cheering had subsided Larry rose and in a slightly querulous tone
and with a humorous smile upon his face he said:
“Mr. Chairman, don't you think we are becoming unnecessarily serious?
And are there not certain things on which we all agree? First that
we are all Canadians, first, last and all the time. Secondly, that
we greatly respect and admire our American cousins and we desire only
better mutual acquaintance for our mutual good. Third, that we are loyal
to and immensely proud of our Empire, and we mean to stick to it. And
fourth, that Germany is a great country and has done great things for
the world. As to the historical questions raised, these are not settled
by discussion but by reliable historic documents. As to the prophecies
made, we can accept or reject them as we choose. Personally I confess
that I am unable to get up any real interest in this German war menace.
I believe Germany has more sense, not to say proper Christian feeling,
than to plunge herself and the world into war. I move, Mr. Chairman,
that we pass to the next order of business.”
“Hear! Hear!” cried some. “Go on with the programme.”
“No! No!” said others. “Let's have it out.”
“Mr. Chairman,” said Hec Ross, rising to his feet, “this thing is better
than any silly old programme, let's have it out.”
But the chairman, much against his inclination, for he was a fighter,
ruled otherwise. “The differences that separate us from one another here
to-night are not differences that can be settled by argument. They are
differences that are due partly to our history and partly to the ideals
which we cherish. We shall go on with the programme.”
At first the people were in no mood for mere amusement. They had been
made to face for a brief moment the great and stern reality of war. The
words and more the manner of Jack Romayne had produced a deep sense in
their minds of the danger of a European conflagration, and the ominous
words of the young German spoken as from intimate knowledge only
served to deepen the impression made by Romayne. But the feeling
was transitory, and speedily the possibility of war was dismissed as
unthinkable. The bogey of a German war was familiar and therefore losing
its power to disturb them. So after two or three musical numbers had
been given the audience had settled back into its normal state of mind
which accepted peace as the natural and permanent condition for the
world.
The entertainment would have come to a perfectly proper and harmonious
close had it not been for the unrestrained exuberance of Sam's humorous
qualities on the one hand and the complete absence of sense of humour
in Ernest Switzer on the other. The final number on the programme,
which was to be a series of humorous character sketches, had been left
entirely in Sam's hands and consisted of a trilogy representing the
characteristics as popularly conceived of the French Canadian habitant,
the humorous Irishman and the obese Teuton. Sam's early association
with the vaudeville stage had given him a certain facility in the use
of stage properties and theatrical paraphernalia generally, and this
combined with a decided gift of mimicry enabled him to produce a
really humorous if somewhat broadly burlesqued reproduction of these
characters. In the presentation of his sketch Sam had reserved to the
close his representation of the obese Teuton. The doings of this Teuton,
while sending the audience into roars of laughter, had quite a different
effect upon Switzer, who after a few moments of wrathful endurance made
toward the rear of the audience.
Meantime the obese Teuton has appeared upon the stage in a famished
condition demanding vociferously and plaintively from the world at large
sausage. But no sausage is available. At this point a stray dog wanders
upon the stage. With a cry of delight the famished Teuton seizes the
unfortunate cur and joyously announcing that now sausage he will have,
forthwith disappears. Immediately from the wings arise agonised canine
howlings with which mingles the crashing of machinery. Gradually the
howlings die into choking silence while the crash of the machinery
proceeds for a few moments longer. Thereupon reappears the Teuton,
ecstatic and triumphant, bearing with him a huge sausage, which he
proceeds to devour with mingled lamentations over his departed “hund”
and raptures over its metamorphosed condition. In the midst of this
mingled lamentation and rapture is heard in the distance upon a mouth
organ band the sound of the German national air. The Teuton is startled,
drops his sausage upon the stage and exclaiming “Der Kronprinz,” hastily
beats a retreat.
At the mention of this august name Switzer disappears from the rear
of the audience and makes his way to the back of the stage. In the
meantime, to the accompaniment of organs and drums, appears upon the
stage no less a personage than “der Kronprinz,” to the reproduction of
whose features Sam's peculiar facial appearance admirably lends itself.
From this point the action proceeds with increased rapidity. No sooner
had “der Kronprinz,” who is also in a famished condition, appeared upon
the stage than his eyes light upon the sausage. With a cry of delight
he seizes it and proceeds ravenously to devour it. But at the first
mouthful renewed howlings arise. “Der Kronprinz,” in a state of intense
excitement, drops his sausage and begins a wild search in the corners
of the stage and in the wings for the source of the uproar. The sausage
thus abandoned, aided by an invisible cord, wabbles off the stage
before the eyes of the wondering and delighted audience. Thereafter “der
Kronprinz” reappears with his “hund” under his arm and begins an active
and distracted search for his precious sausage. Disappointed in his
search for the sausage and rendered desperate by his famished condition,
he seizes the wretched cur and begins gnawing at the tail and retires
from the scene, accompanied by the howls of the unhappy canine and the
applauding shouts of the audience.
Meantime while Sam is engaged in executing a lightning change from the
role of “der Kronprinz” to that of the original obese Teuton, Switzer
beside himself with rage comes upon him at the precise moment when he is
engaged in tying up his shoe preparatory to making his final entry upon
the stage. The posture is irresistibly inviting. The next instant the
astonished audience beholds the extraordinary spectacle of the obese
Teuton under the impulse of the irate Switzer's boot in rapid flight
across the stage upon all fours, bearing down with terrific speed upon
the rear of the unsuspecting chairman who, facing the audience and with
a genial smile upon his countenance, is engaged in applauding Sam's
previous performance. Making frantic but futile efforts to recover
himself, Sam plunges head on with resistless impact full upon the exact
spot where the legs of the parson effect a junction with the rest of
his person and carries that gentleman with him clear off the stage and
fairly upon the top of old McTavish, who at that moment is engaged in
conversation with little Miss Haight immediately behind him. Immediately
there is a terrific uproar, in which through the delighted yells of the
crowd, the crashing of the overturned chairs, and the general confusion
could be heard the shrieks of the little spinster and weird Scotch
oaths from McTavish. After the noise had somewhat subsided and when
the confusion had been reduced to a semblance of order, McTavish was
discovered with his hand upon the collar of the dazed parson who in turn
held the obese Teuton in a firm and wrathful grip, at which once more
the whole crowd rocked with an unholy but uncontrollable joy.
It was Larry who saved the situation by appearing upon the stage and
gravely announcing that this unfortunate catastrophe was due to a sudden
international upheaval which as usual in such cases had come about in
an absolutely unexpected manner and as a result of misunderstandings and
mistakes for which no one could be held responsible. He proposed in
the name of the audience votes of thanks to those who had laboured so
diligently to make the Dominion Day celebration so great a success,
especially to the ladies and gentlemen who had served upon the various
committees, to the speakers of the evening, to those who had provided
the entertainment, and last but not least to the chairman who had
presided with such grace and dignity over the proceedings of the
evening. The motion was carried with tumultuous applause, and after the
singing of “The Maple Leaf” and the national anthem, the meeting came to
a close.
After the entertainment was over Larry and his mother slowly took the
trail homewards, declining many offers of a lift from their friends
in cars and carriages. It was the Harvest Moon. Upon the folds of
the rolling prairie, upon the round tops of the hills, upon the broad
valleys, and upon the far-away peaks in the west the white light lay
thick and soft like a mantle. Above the white-mantled world the concave
of the sky hung blue and deep and pricked out with pale star points.
About the world the night had thrown her mystic jewelled robes of white
and blue, making a holy shrine, a very temple of peace for God and man.
For some minutes they walked together in silence, after they had bidden
good-night to the last of their friends.
“What a world it is, Mother!” said Larry, gazing about him at the beauty
of the night.
“Yes, but alas, alas, that God's own children should spoil all this
glory with hatred and strife! This very night in the unhappy Balkan
States men are killing each other. It is too sad and too terrible to
think of. Oh, if men would be content only to do justly by each other.”
“Those people of the Balkan States are semi-barbarians,” said Larry,
“and therefore war between them is to be expected; but I cannot
get myself to believe in the possibility of war between Christians,
civilised nations to-day. But, Mother, for the first time in my life,
listening to those two men, Romayne and Switzer, I had a feeling that
war might be possible. Switzer seemed so eager for it, and so sure
about it, didn't he? And Romayne, too, seemed ready to fight. But then
I always remember that military men and military nations are for ever
talking war.”
“That is quite true, my dear,” said his mother. “I too find it difficult
to believe that war is possible in spite of what we have heard to-night.
Our Friends at Home do not believe that war is imminent. They tell me
that the feeling between Germany and Britain is steadily improving.”
“And yet two years ago, Mother, in connection with the Agadir incident
war might have happened any minute.”
“That is true,” replied his mother, “but every year of peace makes
war less likely. The Friends are working and praying for a better
understanding between these nations, and they are very confident that
these peace delegations that are exchanging visits are doing a great
deal for peace. Your Uncle Matthew, who has had a great deal to do with
them, is very hopeful that a few years of peace will carry us past the
danger point.”
“Well, I hope so, Mother. I loathe the very thought of war,” said Larry.
“I think I am like you in this. I never did fight, you know; as a boy I
always got out of it. Do you know, Mother, I think I would be afraid to
fight.”
“I hope so,” replied his mother. “Fighting is no work for man, but for
brute.”
“But you would not be afraid, Mother. I know you would stand up to
anything.”
“Oh, no, no,” cried his mother. “I could stand up to very little. After
all, it is only God that makes strong to endure.”
“But it is not quite the question of enduring, it is not the suffering,
Mother. It is the killing. I don't believe I could kill a man, and yet
in the Bible they were told to kill.”
“But surely, Larry, we read our Bible somewhat differently these days.
Surely we have advanced since the days of Abraham. We do not find our
Lord and master commanding men to kill.”
“But, Mother, in these present wars should not men defend their women
and children from such outrages as we read about?”
“When it comes to the question of defending women and children it seems
to me that the question is changed,” said his mother. “As to that I can
never quite make up my mind, but generally speaking we hold that it is
the Cross, not the sword, that will save the world from oppression and
break the tyrant's power.”
“But after all, Mother,” replied Larry, “it was not Smithfield that
saved England's freedom, but Naseby.”
“Perhaps both Naseby and Smithfield,” said his mother. “I am not very
wise in these things.”
At the door of their house they came upon Nora sitting in the moonlight.
“Did you meet Ernest and Mr. Romayne?” she inquired. “They've only gone
five minutes or so. They walked down with us.”
“No, we did not meet them.”
“You must be tired after the wild excitement of the day, Mother,” said
Nora. “I think you had better go at once to bed. As for me, I am going
for a swim.”
“That's bully; I'm with you,” said Larry.
In a few minutes they were dressed in their bathing suits, and, wrapped
up in their mackintosh coats, they strolled toward the little lake.
“Let's sit a few moments and take in this wonderful night,” said Nora.
“Larry, I want to talk to you about what we heard to-night from those
two men. They made me feel that war was not only possible but near.”
“It did not impress me in the very least,” said Larry. “They talked as
military men always talk. They've got the war bug. These men have both
held commissions in their respective armies. Romayne, of course, has
seen war, and they look at everything from the military point of view.”
As he was speaking there came across the end of the lake the sound of
voices. Over the water the still air carried the words distinctly to
their ears.
“Explain what?” It was Switzer's voice they heard, loud and truculent.
“Just what you meant by the words 'slanderous falsehood' which you used
to-night,” replied a voice which they recognised to be Jack Romayne's.
“I meant just what I said.”
“Did you mean to impugn my veracity, because--”
“Because what?”
“Because if you did I should have to slap your face just now.”
“Mein Gott! You--!”
“Not so loud,” said Romayne quietly, “unless you prefer an audience.”
“You schlap my face!” cried the German, in his rage losing perfect
control of his accent. “Ach, if you were only in my country, we could
settle this in the only way.”
“Perhaps you will answer my question.” Romayne's voice was low and clear
and very hard. “Did you mean to call me a liar? Yes or no.”
“A liar,” replied the German, speaking more quietly. “No, it is not a
question of veracity. It is a question of historical accuracy.”
“Oh, very well. That's all.”
“No, it is not all,” exclaimed the German. “My God, that I should have
to take insult from you! In this country of barbarians there is no way
of satisfaction except by the beastly, the savage method of fists, but
some day we will show you schwein of England--”
“Stop!” Romayne's voice came across the water with a sharp ring like the
tap of a hammer on steel. “You cannot use your hands, I suppose? That
saves you, but if you say any such words again in regard to England or
Englishmen, I shall have to punish you.”
“Punish me!” shouted the German. “Gott in Himmel, that I must bear
this!”
“They are going to fight,” said Nora in an awed and horrified voice.
“Oh, Larry, do go over.”
“He-l-l-o,” cried Larry across the water. “That you, Switzer? Who is
that with you? Come along around here, won't you?”
There was a silence of some moments and then Romayne's voice came
quietly across the water. “That you, Gwynne? Rather late to come around,
I think. I am off for home. Well, Switzer, that's all, I think, just
now. I'll say good-night.” There was no reply from Switzer.
“You won't come then?” called Larry. “Well, goodnight, both of you.”
“Good-night, good-night,” came from both men.
“Do you think they will fight?” said Nora.
“No, I think not. There's Switzer riding off now. What fools they are.”
“And Jack Romayne is so quiet and gentlemanly,” said Nora.
“Quiet, yes, and gentlemanly, yes too. But I guess he'd be what Sam
calls a 'bad actor' in a fight. Oh, these men make me tired who can't
have a difference of opinion but they must think of fighting.”
“Oh, Larry, I don't understand you a bit,” cried Nora. “Of course they
want to fight when they get full of rage. I would myself.”
“I believe you,” said Larry. “You are a real Irish terrier. You are like
father. I am a Quaker, or perhaps there's another word for it. I only
hope I shall never be called on to prove just what I am. Come on, let's
go in.”
For a half hour they swam leisurely to and fro in the moonlit water. But
before they parted for the night Nora returned to the subject which they
had been discussing.
“Larry, I don't believe you are a coward. I could not believe that of
you,” she said passionately; “I think I would rather die.”
“Well, don't believe it then. I hope to God I am not, but then one can
never tell. I cannot see myself hitting a man on the bare face, and
as for killing a fellow being, I would much rather die myself. Is that
being a coward?”
“But if that man,” breathed Nora hurriedly, for the household were
asleep, “if that man mad with lust and rage were about to injure your
mother or your sisters--”
“Ah,” said Larry, drawing in his breath quickly, “that would be
different, eh?”
“Good-night, you dear goose,” said his sister, kissing him quickly. “I
am not afraid for you.”