“Ja,” Herman assented. “That is what war is. Always the same. I came here to get away from war.”
“Well, you didn't get far enough. You left a king behind, but we've got a Czar here.”
Herman was slowly, methodically, following an earlier train of thought.
“I am a workman,” he said. “I would not fight against other workmen. Just as I, a German, will not fight against other Germans.”
“But you would sit here, on the hill, and do nothing.”
“What can I do? One man, and with no job.”
“Come to the meeting to-night.”
“You and your meetings!” the old German said impatiently. “You talk. That's all.”
Rudolph lowered his voice.
“You think we only talk, eh? Well, you come and hear some things. Talk! You come,” he coaxed, changing his tone. “And we'll have some beer and schnitzel at Gus's after. My treat. How about it?”