His mocking smile and ironical tone brought a flush to Kenneth's cheeks.
"I don't want any private information to know what England will do," cried the boy.
"True, the public information is conclusive. England is helpless; she suffers from an internal complaint; she is breaking up."
"That will do, Kurt," said Finkelstein, anticipating an explosive word from Kenneth, who was quick-tempered, and apt to fall out with Hellwig. "Really, Ken, you will be safer at home, and if you don't go now you will lose your chance; all the trains will be required for the troops."
"I'd rather wait a little longer," replied Kenneth. "It's all so interesting. I've never seen a mobilisation before."
"It will do him good to see how we manage things in Germany," said Hellwig. "And since England will remain neutral, he will run no risk."
Finkelstein, easygoing and indolent where business was not concerned, yielded the point.
"Very well," he said. "Do as you please. But I recommend you to pack up in readiness for a sudden departure. For my part, I hope Kurt is right; I think of my business."
"We all think of our business," said Hellwig, with a slight stress upon the pronoun.
"Our business--yes," said Finkelstein. "We shall all suffer, I fear. But if it is as in '70----"