"
"War is the offspring of pride; that is what makes it so abhorred."
"It is also the offspring of oppression; that is what makes it so
great."
"Yes; when the people take up arms it is well. War is the torch of
liberty in the hands of the people. Oh, I envy the people, who are so
strong, yet know it not. If I were a man I would teach the people that
a king has no divine right, save when it is conferred upon him by them."
"Gretchen, I'm afraid that you're a bit of a Socialist."
"And who is not who has any love for humanity?"
"A beautiful woman who is a Socialist, Gretchen, is a menace to the
King. Sometimes he fears her. At large, she is dangerous. He seeks
her, and if he finds her, he takes away her liberty." All this was
said with a definite purpose. It was to let Gretchen know that I knew
her secret. "Gretchen, you are an embryo Socialist; a chrysalis, as it
were."
"No, Herr," sadly; "I am a butterfly whose wings have been clipped."
I had not expected this admission,
"Never mind," said I. "Gretchen, I do not want you to call me Herr;
call me Jack."
"Jack!" she said.
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