I struggle to find out what message lies behind those queer Flemish words.
De Toestand Te Antwerpen Is Zeer Ernstig.
What does it mean?
Zeer Ernstig?
Is it good? Is it bad? I don't know the word.
I call to the night porter, and he comes out and translates to me, and as I glean the significance of the news I admire that peasant boy's calm.
"La situation à Anvers est grave" he says. "The Burgomaster announces to the population that the bombardment of Antwerp and its environs is imminent. It is understood, of course" (translating literally), "that neither the threat nor the actual bombardment will have any effect on the strength of our resistance, which will continue to the very last extremity!"
So we know the worst now.
Antwerp is not to hand herself over to the Germans. She is going to fight to the death. Well, we are glad of it! We know it is the only thing she could have done!