The Major [128]
Tonight must we in New York become."
Shaking hands hurriedly with Mrs. Wakeham, and with a curt bow to the rest of the company, Meyer hurriedly left the room, followed by Professor Schaefer and Mr. Wakeham.
"Aren't they funny!" said Rowena. "They get so excited about nothing."
"Well, it is hardly nothing," said Hugo Raeder. "Any European war is full of all sorts of possibilities. You cannot throw matches about in a powder magazine without some degree of danger."
"May I read the ultimatum?" said Larry to Mrs. Wakeham, who held the telegram in her hand.
"Pretty stiff ultimatum," said Hugo Raeder. "Read it out, Larry."
"Servia will have to eat dirt," said Larry when he had finished. "Listen to this: She must 'accept the collaboration in Servia of representatives of the Austro-Hungarian Government for the consideration of the subversive movements directed against the Territorial integrity of the Monarchy.' 'Accept collaboration' of the representatives of the Austro-hungarian Government in this purely internal business, mind you. And listen to this: 'Delegates of the Austro-Hungarian Government will take part in the investigation relating thereto.' Austrian lawyers and probably judges investigating Servian subjects in Servia? Why, the thing is impossible."
"It is quite evident," said Hugo Raeder, "that Austria means war."
"Poor little Servia, she will soon be eaten up," said Rowena. "She must be bankrupt from her last war."
"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 scrap unless she wants to butt 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 butt in?" continued Hugo.
"Butt in, Germany butt 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 God 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,
Shaking hands hurriedly with Mrs. Wakeham, and with a curt bow to the rest of the company, Meyer hurriedly left the room, followed by Professor Schaefer and Mr. Wakeham.
"Aren't they funny!" said Rowena. "They get so excited about nothing."
"Well, it is hardly nothing," said Hugo Raeder. "Any European war is full of all sorts of possibilities. You cannot throw matches about in a powder magazine without some degree of danger."
"May I read the ultimatum?" said Larry to Mrs. Wakeham, who held the telegram in her hand.
"Pretty stiff ultimatum," said Hugo Raeder. "Read it out, Larry."
"Servia will have to eat dirt," said Larry when he had finished. "Listen to this: She must 'accept the collaboration in Servia of representatives of the Austro-Hungarian Government for the consideration of the subversive movements directed against the Territorial integrity of the Monarchy.' 'Accept collaboration' of the representatives of the Austro-hungarian Government in this purely internal business, mind you. And listen to this: 'Delegates of the Austro-Hungarian Government will take part in the investigation relating thereto.' Austrian lawyers and probably judges investigating Servian subjects in Servia? Why, the thing is impossible."
"It is quite evident," said Hugo Raeder, "that Austria means war."
"Poor little Servia, she will soon be eaten up," said Rowena. "She must be bankrupt from her last war."
"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 scrap unless she wants to butt 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 butt in?" continued Hugo.
"Butt in, Germany butt 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 God 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,