They went into Holyhead, and wandered aimlessly about the station. Marvellously, men in uniform appeared everywhere. The reservists, naval and military, had been called up, and while Gilbert and Henry stood in the station, a large number of them went away, leaving tearful, puzzled women on the platform. That morning the boots at the hotel had been called up to join his Territorial regiment. He had been carrying a trunk on his back, when the call came to him, and, chuckling, he dropped the trunk, and skipped off to get ready. "I'm wanted," he said ... and then he went off.
And still people went about, bemused and frightened, demanding what it was about....
"Well have to go in," some one said in the station. "I can't see how we can stay out!..."
"I can't see that at all," his neighbour replied. "We've got nothing to do with it!"
"If the Germans won't leave the Belgians alone!..."
Perkins interrupted again. "We've got a Belgian cook in our hotel," he said. "It ... it sort of brings it all home to you, that!"
There were rumours that the working-people were resolute against the war....
"And so are the employers," said Perkins. "I can tell you that. I've not met anybody yet who wants a war!"
And as the rumours flew about, they grew. One could see a rumour begin and swell and change and increase.
"I tell you what," said Perkins. "These Germans have been damn well asking for it, and I hope they'll damn well get it. I know a few Germans ... Manchester's full of 'em ... and I don't like 'em. As a nation, I don't like 'em. They ... they get on my nerves, that's what they do!"