“He preached from Jeremiah, Fourth Chapter and Sixth Verse; and his closing cry was from Nahum, Second Chapter and First Verse, ‘Set up the standard toward Zion. Stay not, for I will bring evil from the north and a great destruction,’ and he closed with Nahum’s advice, ‘He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face, keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.’”
“Well, then, how went the advice?”
“I know not exactly. It is hard to convince commerce and cowardice that at certain times war is the highest of all duties. Neither of them understand patriotism; and yet every trembling pacifist in time of war is a misfortune to his country.”
“And the country will give them––what?” asked Sunna.
“The cold, dead damnation of a disgrace they will never outlive,” answered Max.
There was a sharp cry from Eric at these words, and then a passionate childish exclamation––“Not bad enough! Not bad enough!” he screamed. “Oh, if I had a sword and a strong hand! I would cut them up in slices!” Then with an hysterical cry the boy fell backward.
In an instant Max had him in his arms and was whispering words of promise and consolation, and just then, fortunately, Mrs. Beaton entered with a servant who was carrying a service of tea and muffins. It was a welcome diversion and both Max and Sunna were glad of it. Max gently unloosed Eric’s hand from Sunna’s clasp and then they both looked at the child. He had fallen into a sleep of exhaustion and Max said, “It is well. When he is worn out with feeling, such sleeps alone save his life. I am weary, also. Let us have a cup of tea.” So they sat down and talked of everything but the war––“He would hear us in his sleep,” said Max, “and he has borne all he is able to bear today.” Then Sunna said:
“Right glad am I to put a stop to such a trouble-raising subject. War is a thing by itself, and all that touches it makes people bereft of their senses or some other good thing. Here has come news of Thora Ragnor’s hurried marriage, but no one 156 knows or cares about the strange things happening at our doorstep. Such haste is not good I fear.”
“Does Ragnor approve of it?” asked Mrs. Beaton.