The Meeker herald., 1916-10-14

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emit time, however. he had always sue
ceeded In Kidding himself of such mis-
givings.
"And who do you think il going 10
win, Mr.. BrownT Sir George put the
question abruptly. He, a. well ~
streetman, perceived that their some
what bizarre guest from the other side
Of the Atlantic had gathered unto him.
self q surprising fund Of information
during his short stay in their midst.
Before Charlie Brown could reply,
the SPY Streetman threw himself into
the conversational gap.
"I'm sure from what Mr.. Brown has
said he agreea with me that the Ger
mans have the best chance" he inter
posed.
Mr.. Brown himself merely smiled at
the Interruption. He may have
thought streetman . cad-a lobster,
he would probably have termed him.
But whatever his feelings might have
been. he concealed them admirably.
"Well, I'll tell you" he said, as he
turned his back squarely upon Street
man and faced Sir George. when I
was drinking Munich beer, was rath-
er pro-German. But now that I'm
switched to tea, I've sort Of swung
over to the allies"
A burst of laughter, punctuated
with cries Of "Bravow greeted the an
swer.
Turning to them all again, you
see," he explained, II like the English
az individuals. and like lot Of
their general ways, too. admire the
easy-going fashion in which they do
business. l commend the fact thu.
they won't talk shop over . luncheon.
I like their afternoon tea" He smiled
at Miss Willoughby as he said that.
II like the fact that knights and ladies,
clerks and shopglrls take their half
hour of for it. I like the way they
respect their own laws-when they de-
eide to make one they decide at the
same time to keep 1t. But, collectively,
the English irrltate me, because they're
so blamed sure they're little bit su-
perior to all the rest Of the world.
That's annoying, personally, but can
and I do admire 1t as great racial
quality that's made 'em win out 4
thousand times. II England goes to
war, it'll take the English about
year before they realize they have .
war-they really are slow, you know
but once they wake up to 1t they'll
raise the deuce, and think they'll
win"
Sage noddings Of various heads and
the exchange Of approving glances on
the part Of the members Of the little
party-or Of all but Henry streetman
set seal of appreciation upon
Charlie Browns views.
please God, you're rightr Sir
George Wagstaff cried fervently, with
q show Of emotion that was, for him,
most unusual.
please God. he isr' Mrs. Falconer
agreed.
az do hope 80! The Germans are 20
aggressive!" Ethel willoughby OBJ
served.
And 10 ruder' Georgy added. She
could not forget-much less forgive
having been shouldered of a sidewalk
In Berlin by the kaiser's naughty on
Gers.
"Ah! But fancy that pride in ones
country II universal trait in every
uation," her more moderate father said.
Exactly! And as Mr.. Brown has
pointed out, We English have a tenden-
cy to be somewhat superior also" Az
he spoke, streetman rose. He was be-
coming restless under the CALLING Of
that one-sided discussion Of the merits
Of the nations.
"WelI, I hope there isn't any war;
Guy Falconer said fervently. IF there
is, you can bet your boots I'm not
going near it."
"Guyw Sir George turned upon him
with incredulity writ large upon his
hne face.
"Oh, I mean it, Sir George" Guy
insisted shamelessly. "If 1t comes to
war, this will b q war Of millions.
II there are 4 thousand men killed In
battle or only nine hundred and
ninety mine, what difference does It
make except to the thousandth man!
{. None! But IL I happened to
be he, it'd represent a deuce of q lot
to me, and, with my luck, I'd b the
flrst man shot anyhow. No.
sir! Military service 10 not compul-
sorry in England. thank heaven! And
II there is a war. I'm going to sit
home at my club and discuss very
harshIy the mistakes Of the war ONCE"
Guys mother regarded him with no
less amazement than did Sir George.
my son-you're not serious?" she
exclaimed, scarcely believing what she
heard.
"of course he isr' said Georgy. IT
never saw a man who thought AZ
much Of his own precious hide-so
much more than anyone else thinks of
itr'
''If you're quite in earnest. Guy, I
am positively ashamed Of you," Sir
George Wagstan told him. As q man