“What do you say to that, Sir?” “I think it looks confoundedly serious.” “Chance of a war, eh?” “I sincerely hope not. The newspapers always exaggerate, you know. It would be an appalling catastrophe.” “Oh, liven things up a bit. We’re getting stale, too much peace. Need a bit of blood-letting.” “I don’t think it’ll come to that. I...” “It’s got to come sooner or later. Them Germans, you know. They’d never be able to face our Navy.” “Well, let’s hope it won’t be necessary.” “Ah, I dunno. Shouldn’t mind ’avin’ a go at the Germans myself, and I reckon you wouldn’t either.” “Oh, I’m a neutral,” said George, laughing; “don’t count on me.” “Umph!” said the man, as he got up to leave the bus, casting a suspicious look at this foreign-looking and unpatriotic person. Yes, that’s it, a foreigner, a bloody foreigner; umph, what’s he doing in England I’d like to know? Umph! George was back in the newspaper, unaware of the turmoil he had excited in that elderly but patriotic bosom. * * * * * “I say,” exclaimed George, as soon as he met Elizabeth and Reggie, “have you two seen the newspaper to-day?” “Why?” said Elizabeth, “what’s in it? Something about you?” “No, there’s a war threatened in the Balkans, and it may apparently involve every one else.” Reggie sneered. “Oh, piffle! How absurd you are, George, to believe a newspaper sensation. Why, we were talking about it last night in the Common Room, and every one agreed that the conflict would have to be localized and that Grey would probably make a statement in a day or two. It’ll all blow over.” Elizabeth had grabbed the newspaper, and was trying to find her way through the unfamiliar mazes of sensational rhetoric. “So you don’t think it’ll come to anything?” said George, hanging up his hat, and sitting down at the restaurant table. “Of course not!” said Reggie contemptuously. “What do you think, Elizabeth?” “I don’t know,” she said, looking up bewildered from the paper, “I can’t understand this curious language. Are all newspapers written like that?” “Mostly,” said George, “but I’m glad you think it’s only a scare, Reggie. I admit I was startled when I read those headlines. That’s what comes of living absorbed in one’s own life, and neglecting the fountain-heads of truth.” * * * * *