I sounded their ignorance, however, rather pointedly one evening. We were seated at the supper-table and I found myself hotly assailed not only by the five members of the household but a visiting aunt and uncle as well.
“Germany is bigger than all the Allies put together,” announced Auntie. “I don’t see what you all keep fighting for!”
“What is the population of Germany?” I repeated.
They did not quite hear me.
“What is the population of Germany?” I repeated.
I was looking at Auntie, but she was looking at somebody else and they were all looking about as though they had lost something. Then someone called on Mutter[8] to save the situation.
“Yes, Mutter knows!” they said.
Mutter suddenly decided to go into the kitchen for some more potatoes, but she was trapped by Erna.
“Tell him, Mutter,” she urged.
Mutter paused a moment and then: