human
And how about your son, Mr. Hegner? she asked.
gpt
I suppose he is in Germany now? You must feel rather anxious about him.
human
He is, I fear, by now on his way to the frontier. But may I ask a favour of the gracious lady? Do not speak of my son to the people of Witanbury.
gpt
Then _he_ was never naturalised?
human
No, no, said Mr. Hegner hastily.
gpt
There was no necessity for him to be. His work was mostly, you see, over there.
human
Still he was educated here, surely?
gpt
That is so, gracious lady. He talks English better even than I do. He and I did consider the question of his taking out a certificate. Then we decided that, as he would be so much in Germany, it was better he should remain German. But his wife is an English girl.
human
How sorry you must be now that he did not naturalise!
gpt
Yes, it is very regretful--the more so that it would do me harm if it were known in the town that I had a son in the German Army. But he will not fight against the English, he added hastily.
human
No one will do that but the German sailors--is not that so, madam?
gpt
I really don't know.
human
If at any time the gracious lady should hear anything of the sort, I should be grateful--nay, far more than grateful if she will let me know it!
gpt
Yes, I will certainly let you know anything I hear. I know how very anxious you must be about this sad state of things.