Kreisler sulked a moment till he had recovered.
“No. We don’t lie! Why should we? We’re not afraid of the truth, so why should we?”
“Perhaps, as a tribe, you lied to begin with, but have now given it up?”
“What?”
“That may be the explanation of Nietzsche’s etymology. Although he seemed very stimulated at the idea of your national certificate of untruthfulness. He felt that, as a true patriot, he should react against your blue eyes, beer, and childish frankness.”
“Quatsch! Nietzsche was always paradoxal. He would say anything to amuse himself. You English are the greatest liars and hypocrites on this earth!”
“‘See the Continental Press’! You should not swallow that rubbish. I only dispute your statement because I know it is not first-hand. What I mean about the Germans was that, like the Jews, they are extremely proud of success in deceit. No enthusiasm of that sort exists in England. Hypocrisy is usually a selfish stupidity, rather than the result of cunning.”
“The English are stupid hypocrites then! We agree. Prosit!”
“The Germans are uncouth but zealous liars! Prosit!”