“Tell Willie to go,” retorted Gerard.
“So I do. And he asks, ‘What! go and get killed?’ And I say, ‘Exactly.’”
“Meanwhile, it is we who are doing our best to defend your flag,” interposed Count Frechenfels. “Your colonial army consists very largely of Germans.”
“Then why do you not defend it better?” said Gerard.
The Count shrugged his shoulders. “What will you have? It is not our own.”
Gerard turned mutely to Ursula. Her eyes were flashing. “There are brave Dutchmen enough over yonder, Herr Graf!” she exclaimed, “and brave Dutchmen enough here at home, willing and eager to go! All cannot exchange into Indian regiments. Helena, why do you speak so of our soldiers? There is not a nation in Europe has been braver than ours!”
“Ah, bah!” said Helena. “Then why doesn’t Gerard go? You yourself said your father would, and he is a clergyman!”
Ursula looked at Gerard. Again that strange alarm came into her eyes, which still shone with indignation.
“I shall not go for your ordering, Helena,” answered Gerard, in a burst of almost ill-mannered spite. “Honestly, I attach more importance to Ursula’s opinion.”