The Transylvanian young man and the woman near me were both staring at the shore. I had no intention of speaking aloud yet I said:
“That is where Stephen Tisza’s monument is going to stand.”
SOLDIERS TAKING THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO KÁROLYI’S NATIONAL COUNCIL.
The woman was horribly frightened. “Please, don’t say things like that. The people hate him frightfully.”
“But why should they hate him so?”
“He was the cause of the war; the soldier who killed him said so.”
“His monument is going to stand there.”
“You will be knocked down if you say such things,” said the young man. “This morning a gentleman just said to his wife: “Poor Tisza!” Nevertheless the passengers became indignant, insulted him, stopped the car and shouted till both got off. You must say nothing openly about him, except that he was a scoundrel, that he wanted the war and was the cause of all the bloodshed. One may not say anything of anybody but what the National Council says. One must say nothing of Károlyi but that he is the only person who can save Hungary. This is our liberty.”