Part 52 (2/2)
”But why all this excitement on the part of our German friends?”
inquired Mrs. Wakeham. ”What has Germany to do with Austria and Servia?”
At this point Professor Schaefer and his friend re-entered the room ready for their departure.
”I was just inquiring,” said Mrs. Wakeham, ”how this ultimatum of Austria's to Servia can affect Germany particularly.”
”Affect Germany?” cried Professor Schaefer.
”Yes,” said Hugo Raeder, ”what has Germany to do with the sc.r.a.p unless she wants to b.u.t.t in?”
”Ha! ha! My dear man, have you read no history of the last twenty years?
But you Americans know nothing about history, nothing about anything except your own big, overgrown country.”
”I thought you were an American citizen, Schaefer?” inquired Hugo.
”An American,” exclaimed Schaefer, ”an American, ah, yes, certainly; but in Europe and in European politics, a German, always a German.”
”But why should Germany b.u.t.t in?” continued Hugo.
”b.u.t.t in, Germany b.u.t.t in? Things cannot be settled in Europe without Germany. Besides, there is Russia longing for the opportunity to attack.”
”To attack Germany?”
”To attack Austria first, Germany's ally and friend, and then Germany.
The trouble is you Americans do not live in the world. You are living on your own continent here removed from the big world, ignorant of all world movements, the most provincial people in all the world. Else you would not ask me such foolish questions. This ultimatum means war.
First, Austria against Servia; Russia will help Servia; France will help Russia; Germany will help Austria. There you have the beginning of a great European war. How far this conflagration will spread, only G.o.d knows.”
The car being announced, the Germans made a hurried exit, in their overpowering excitement omitting the courtesy of farewells to household and guests.
”They seem to be terribly excited, those Germans,” said Miss Rowena.
”They are,” said Hugo; ”I am glad I am not a German. To a German war is so much the biggest thing in life.”
”It is really too bad,” said Mrs. Wakeham; ”we shall not have the pleasure of Professor Schaefer's music. He plays quite exquisitely. You would all have greatly enjoyed it. Rowena, you might play something.
Well, for my part,” continued Mrs. Wakeham, settling herself placidly in her comfortable chair, ”I am glad I am an American. Those European countries, it seems to me, are always in some trouble or other.”
”I am glad I am a Canadian,” said Larry. ”We are much too busy to think of anything so foolish and useless as war.”
CHAPTER XXI
WAR
”Come, Jane, we have just time to take a look at the lake from the top of the hill before we get ready for church,” said Ethel Murray. ”It will be worth seeing to-day.”
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