“Why, you remember, my dear, the murder of the Archduke Ferdinand about three weeks ago?”
“Oh, yes, I remember. I had quite forgotten it. Poor thing, how terrible it was! Didn't they get the murderer? It seems to me they caught him.”
“You will excuse us, Mrs. Wakeham,” said Professor Schaefer, approaching her. “We deeply regret leaving this pleasant party and your hospitable home, but it is imperative that we go.”
“But, my dear Professor Schaefer, to-night?” exclaimed Mrs. Wakeham.
“Why, Schaefer, what's the rush? Are you caught in the market?” said Wakeham with a little laugh. “You cannot do anything to-night at any rate, you know. We will have you in early to-morrow morning.”
“No, no, to-night, now, immediately!” shouted Meyer in uncontrollable excitement.
“But why all the excitement, Schaefer?” said Hugo Raeder, smiling at him. “Austria has presented an ultimatum to Servia—what about it?”
“What about it? Oh, you Americans; you are so provincial. Did you read the ultimatum? Do you know what it means? It means war!”
“War!” cried Meyer. “War at last! Thank God! Tonight must we in New York become.”
Shaking hands hurriedly with Mrs. Wakeham, and with a curt bow to the rest of the company, Meyer hurriedly left the room, followed by Professor Schaefer and Mr. Wakeham.