She paused a moment, noting Herbert's quick glance and apparent signal to Roy, who instantly resumed his seat, but refrained from again adopting his jovial manner and speech.
"You see," Mrs. Thompson went on, "the Germans are so wonderfully able, are such a thoroughly capable race that it is well-nigh impossible to equal them in anything. They——"
Herbert decided that he must at last get into the conversation.
"Why do you so highly praise the Germans?" he asked abruptly. "We Americans refuse to believe that they are such wonderfully capable people. They are awful brags and try to make the rest of the world think they are the top notch of mankind, but in what way they show it I can't see.
"Young man, you are evidently not fully informed. You have not been in Germany, as I have. The German people are the most efficient——"
"No people are efficient who set the whole world against them," interrupted Herb.
"Mere jealousy on the part of other nations!" scoffed the lady. "But anyway, whatever you may think of the Germans, this fact remains: they have not invaded our country to war on us——"
"Only because they couldn't," interposed Roy.
"They have not injured any of our people——"
"Oh! How about the Lusitania and some other boats?" chimed in Anthony Wayne Bartlett-Smith.