“Things are moving fast,” he said soberly. “John Burns and Lord Morley leave the Cabinet. Government takes over all the railways. Jellicoe is to command the Fleet, French the Army, and Kitchener is to be Minister of War.” “That’s good. He’ll stand no nonsense anyway.” “The Germans are attacking Liége furiously. Everyone is amazed that the Belgians can stand up against them for a day. But every hour they can hold them is gain to us and France. We are both taken unawares, you see. And the fact of their tremendous onslaught shows that they were all ready,--more than ready. What the upshot of it all will be it’s hard to say. Germany is a very big nut to crack.” “And how are business matters, father?” asked Con quietly, between themselves. “Bad, Con. And likely to be worse. There is to be a big issue of paper,--ten-shilling and one-pound notes, and Lloyd George appeals very earnestly to people not to draw gold from the banks. He is doing all he can. But business is at a standstill, and as to getting in any money from the Continent--! That’s all gone, I’m afraid.” “I’ve got a few hundreds saved. Would that be any use, sir?” “You’re a married man now and your wife must be your first consideration,” said his father with a grave smile, which, however, conveyed to Con his appreciation of his desire to help. “And your uncle-in-law has very generously offered me assistance if I need it. At present I don’t. If things come to the worst I may perhaps make some arrangement with him. You see it’s a case of the devil and the deep sea. On the one hand contracts made which I’m expected to fill, and, on the other, total stoppage of the wherewithal to fill them. And again goods I’ve paid for here and shipped, and no payment forthcoming for them from Germany and Austria.” “There must be many in the same position. Won’t a state of war bar all unpleasantness?” “It’s hard to say. We’ve had no experience of such a state of things, you see. No doubt there will have to be give and take all round and some working arrangement come to. I think there’s a general disposition that way. But it’s very trying business,” he said wearily. “I’m sure it is, sir. I wish I could be of some help.” “You have your own work cut out for you, my boy, and fine work. It will be a trial to you to leave now. But I suppose you considered all that.” “We did, sir. It is trying to have to part so soon, but it will be a help to us both to feel that we belong to one another whatever comes.” “I hope to God you’ll come through all right, Con. For all our sakes take every care you can, and don’t run into any unnecessary dangers.” “Trust me for that, sir.” Then the Colonel and the girls came across “for coffee and smokes, and to see how Mrs Con was bearing up,” as Vic said, and they all fell to talk about the war and the future, and on the Colonel’s part to the extraction of the latest news from the City.