“Any news?” asked Sir John, as Alan was devouring the Post.
“Not much, Uncle John. There was a new Housing Bill brought up in the House last night. The Government seems very rocky. There are hints of a General Election. H’m. H’m—A bad earthquake in South America, I see. Five thousand people killed. Oh, and a landslip or something in New Zealand. How shocking,” he went on, “ten thousand casualties there. Why, it’s as bad as a war!”
“No, it’s the States where the earthquake is,” said Sir John who had unfolded the Scotsman.
“No, South America,” contradicted Alan. “Listen—
“A tremendous earthquake has been felt at Lima, Valparaiso, and Buenos Aires. These three cities have suffered great damage. Over five thousand people have been killed outright, while the casualty list is considerably greater. The shock was felt in Bermuda, New Guinea and even as far north as Kentucky.”
“Then there has been one in the States as well,” said his Uncle. And he read from his paper
“The Meteorological office at Pimenta states that a serious earthquake has occurred in New Jersey.”
“Later.
“News has now come through that Tennessee and Vermont have suffered considerable damage also. The loss of life is comparatively small considering the damage done to property. The tallest buildings have toppled over, shaken from their foundations. The electrical supply is cut off, and in many places severe fires are burning.”
“It seems all over America,” said Alan lightly. “I am glad we don’t go in for those merry little sideshows in this country.”