“You’re right. And every effort made by outsiders to help them will simply recoil on itself.” “It may be so. But if there is a God in the world he cares just as much for the Teuton as he cares for anyone else.” “Very true,” said Brandon. “And Germany must be made to see the light. But that can only be done indirectly. The German, as the world is now beginning to realize, has a very curious psychology. He doesn’t see through his eyes, but through his emotions. Therefore he calls for very special treatment.” “Why not let him alone?” said Pomfret. “Why not let him find his own level?” “Because civilization can’t afford to do that. It owes it to itself to help Germany.” “I fully agree,” said Brandon. “I entirely dissent,” said Pomfret, filling the glasses of his guests. “Germany by her own considered acts has put herself outside the comity of nations, and there’s no need to readmit her. She may lie down with the Magyar, the Turk and the Bulgar till the crack of doom. Civilization can do without Germany. The question is, can Germany do without civilization?” “In spite of her errors and her crimes,” said Urban Meyer, “you do an injustice to a great people if you close all the doors against her.” “We shall not agree about their greatness,” said Pomfret. “They are a race of barbarians, with a dangerous streak of madness.” “That’s one side of the Teuton, I admit. But on the other he’s an idealist, a lover of the arts, an exemplary citizen. And the task of the future is to get him back to where he was. He’s got to return to the old ways. By the bye, that play has set me thinking.” Pomfret and Brandon exchanged glances, but Urban Meyer went on with a curious spontaneity, as if he were thinking aloud. “Yes, it has set my mind working. Last night I dreamed about it, and I believe if the Kingdom of Something Else could be presented just as I saw it in my dream it would speak to the real heart of Germany. It has the very spirit of her folk tales; it has the romance, the poetry, the music, the kindly people my childhood used to make and adore. And it teaches a gospel which might have a universal appeal. You know I’ve an immense belief in the theater. To me it’s the true church of the time to come. And I don’t see why the next world religion shouldn’t begin with a great play.” Again Pomfret and Brandon exchanged glances.