AMERICAN. I carry it further. I postulate we would all die for that baby if a locomotive was to trundle up right here and try to handle it. [To the GERMAN] I guess you don't know how good you are. [As the GERMAN is twisting up the ends of his moustache--to the ENGLISHWOMAN] I should like to have you express an opinion, ma'am. ENGLISHWOMAN. I beg your pardon. AMERICAN. The English are very humanitarian; they have a very high sense of duty. So have the Germans, so have the Americans. [To the DUTCH YOUTH] I judge even in your little country they have that. This is an epoch of equality and high-toned ideals. [To the LITTLE MAN] What is your nationality, sir? LITTLE MAN. I'm afraid I'm nothing particular. My father was half-English and half-American, and my mother half-German and half-Dutch. AMERICAN. My! That's a bit streaky, any old way. [The POLICEMAN passes again] Now, I don't believe we've much use any more for those gentlemen in buttons. We've grown kind of mild--we don't think of self as we used to do. [The WAITER has appeared in the doorway.] GERMAN. [In a voice of thunder] 'Cigarren! Donnerwetter'! AMERICAN. [Shaking his fist at the vanishing WAITER] That flash of beer! WAITER. 'Komm' gleich'! AMERICAN. A little more, and he will join George Washington! I was about to remark when he intruded: In this year of grace 1913 the kingdom of Christ is quite a going concern. We are mighty near universal brotherhood. The colonel here [He indicates the GERMAN] is a man of blood and iron, but give him an opportunity to be magnanimous, and he'll be right there. Oh, sir! yep! [The GERMAN, with a profound mixture of pleasure and cynicism, brushes up the ends of his moustache.] LITTLE MAN. I wonder. One wants to, but somehow--[He shakes his head.] AMERICAN. You seem kind of skeery about that. You've had experience, maybe. I'm an optimist--I think we're bound to make the devil hum in the near future. I opine we shall occasion a good deal of trouble to that old party. There's about to be a holocaust of selfish interests. The colonel there with old-man Nietch he won't know himself. There's going to be a very sacred opportunity. [As he speaks, the voice of a RAILWAY OFFICIAL is heard an the distance calling out in German. It approaches, and the words become audible.] GERMAN. [Startled] 'Der Teufel'! [He gets up, and seizes the bag beside him.] [The STATION OFFICIAL has appeared; he stands for a moment casting his commands at the seated group. The DUTCH YOUTH also rises, and takes his coat and hat. The OFFICIAL turns on his heel and retires still issuing directions.] ENGLISHMAN. What does he say? GERMAN. Our drain has come in, de oder platform; only one minute we haf. [All, have risen in a fluster.] AMERICAN. Now, that's very provoking. I won't get that flash of beer.