“Your country?” said Hugo Raeder, smiling. “I understood you were an American, Professor Schaefer.”
“An American? Surely! I have been eighteen years in this country.”
“You are a citizen, I presume?” said Mr. Wakeham.
“A citizen? Yes. I neglected that matter till recently; but I love my Fatherland.”
“Speaking of citizenship, I have always wanted to know about the Delbruck Law, Professor Schaefer, in regard to citizenship,” said Larry.
The professor hesitated, “The Delbruck Law?”
“Yes,” said Larry. “How does it affect, for instance, your American citizenship?”
“Not at all, I should say. Not in the very least,” replied Professor Schaefer curtly and as if dismissing the subject.
“I am not so sure of that, Professor Schaefer,” said Hugo Raeder. “I was in Germany when that law was passed. It aroused a great deal of interest. I have not looked into it myself, but on the face of it I should say it possesses certain rather objectionable features.”
“Not at all, not at all, I assure you,” exclaimed Professor Schaefer. “It is simply a concession to the intense, but very natural affection for the Fatherland in every German heart, while at the same time it facilitates citizenship in a foreign country. For instance, there are millions of Germans living in America who like myself shrank from taking the oath which breaks the bond with the Fatherland. We love America, we are Americans, we live in America, we work in America; but naturally our hearts turn to Germany, and we cannot forget our childhood's home. That is good, that is worthy, that is noble—hence the Delbruck Law.”