The lady smiled.
“That is a wide political question,” she replied. “To give one reason out of many, look at our—at Germany’s thousand miles of open frontier.”
“Right enough, ma’am. But why is Jarmany buildin’ such a big fleet?”
Mrs. Saumarez raised her lorgnette. She had not expected so apt a retort.
“She is gathering colonies, and already owns a huge mercantile marine. Surely, these interests call for adequate protection?”
“Nobody’s threatenin’ ’em, so far as I can see,” persisted Bolland.
“Not at present. But a wise government looks ahead of the hour. Germany’s aim is to educate the world by her culture. She is doing it already, as any of your own well-informed leading men will tell you; but the time may come when, in her zeal for advancement, she may tread on somebody’s toes, so she must be prepared, both on land and sea. Fortunately, this is the one country she will never attack.”
John shook his head.
“I’m none so sure,” he said slowly. “I hevn’t much time fer readin’, but I did happen t’ other day on a speech by Lord Roberts which med me scrat me head. Beg pardon, ma’am. I mean it med me think.”