“No? What are some of the other points?”
“We agree splendidly about Kathleen,” said Jane, laughing. “Just now we differ about Germany.”
“Aha, how is that?” inquired Jack, immediately alert.
“Of course, I know very little about it, you understand, but last winter our minister, Mr. McPherson, who had just been on a visit to Germany the summer before, gave a lecture in which he said that Germany had made enormous preparations for war and was only waiting a favourable moment to strike. Papa says that is all nonsense.”
“Oh, Jane, Jane,” cried Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, “you have struck upon a very sore spot in this house. Jack will indorse all your minister said. He will doubtless go much further.”
“What did he say, Jane?” inquired Jack.
“He was greatly in earnest and he urged preparation by Canada. He thinks we ought at the very least to begin getting our fleet ready right away.”
“That's politics, of course,” said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, “and I do not know what you are.”
“I am not sure that I do either,” she replied, “but I believe too that Canada ought to get at her fleet without loss of time.”
“But what did he say about Germany?” continued Jack.