‘In Eastern Europe they are always fighting. I remember so many wars—Russo-Turkish, Bulgaro-Turkish, Russo-Japanese, Græco-Turkish and the Balkan Wars. One cannot feel as distressed, as no doubt one ought. If the Russians are all like Hugo’s friends they should not prove very formidable to Austrian troops. I used to know a good many Austrian officers—very charming people.’
We all had an impulse to rag Ralph Freeman. He took himself and his news so seriously, it made us want to take it lightly.
Hugo said:
‘Russian Ballet versus Hungarian Band. Much more “life force” in the Ballet.’
‘It is all very well to joke,’ protested Ralph, ‘but this may be the beginning of a European War.’
‘How often have we heard that, Ralph?’ asked Guy. ‘Everything may be the beginning of a European War—Dogger Bank, Agadir, Morocco—but fortunately, it does not begin.’
‘Sophia belongs to a society which shows European War to be impossible,’ said Mollie. ‘Economically impossible, in a modern world like ours, because of international trade, credit, and so on, and international banking. I went to some of the meetings with her once.’
‘I wish it were impossible,’ said Ralph portentously, and we all felt sure that he was very glad it was not impossible.
‘Russia and France,’ said George abruptly, ‘Austria and Germany—My God!’ Then he laughed. ‘It is fantastic,’ he said. ‘Why, we have an entente with France and Russia!’
‘Exactly,’ said Ralph.