"Why, yes. Think of the care that is taken of everybody, even the worthless. Think of all the hospitals and asylums——"
"Yes, that is one side of the question," he said. "What we may call the sentimental side. But place human life in the scale against money or territory or human ambition."
"Well?"
"We mow men down with machine guns or blow them up with dynamite—not in twos or threes, but in thousands and tens of thousands, and the more we kill the more satisfied we are."
"Oh yes, I know. That is all very terrible," she said, with a puzzled expression in her eyes.
"But why terrible?" he questioned.
"I can't explain myself very well," she answered, slowly; "but, of course, we must defend our country."
"Therefore country is more sacred than life."
"Oh no, you are not going to catch me that way. To die for one's country must be great, heroic."
"Exactly. Therefore, in comparison with what we call country—that is, our particular form of government, or our particular set of rulers, or our particular stake in it—what you call the sacredness of human life occupies a very subordinate position."