human
Yes, he repeated.
gpt
You understand what we're trying to do in this country, Fleming. We don't want to fight--we pray to God that we shall never have to. But, if we are attacked, or if the necessity arises, we'll be ready, as we have been ready before. We want peace--we want it so much and so earnestly that we'll fight for it if we must.
human
Do you think England is likely to have to go to war soon--within a year or so, sir?
gpt
I pray not, said Grenfel.
human
But we don't know, Fleming. For the last few years--ever since the trouble in the Balkans finally flamed up--Europe has been on the brink of a volcano. We don't know what the next day may bring forth. I've been afraid--
gpt
There is danger now, he said, gravely.
human
Since the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated, Austria has been in an ugly mood. She has tried to blame Servia. I don't think Russia will let her crush Servia--not a second time. And if Russia and Austria fight, there is no telling how it may spread.
gpt
You'd want us to win, wouldn't you, Harry, if we fought?
human
Yes, I think I would--I _know_ I would, Dick, said Harry, gravely.
gpt
But I wouldn't want to see a war, just the same. It's a terrible thing.
human
Oh, it wouldn't last long, said Dick, confidently.
gpt
We'd lick them in no time at all. Don't you think so?
human
I don't know--I hope so. But you can't ever be sure.
gpt
I wonder if they'd let us fight?
human
No, I don't think they would, Dick. There'd be plenty for the Boy Scouts to do though, I believe.
gpt
Would you stay over here if there was a war, Harry? Or would you go home?
human
I think we'd have to stay over here, Dick. You see, my father is here on business, not just for pleasure. His company sent him over here, and it was understood he'd stay several years. I don't think the war could make any difference.
gpt
That's why you're here, then, is it? I used to wonder why you went to school over here instead of in America.
human
Yes. My father and mother didn't want me to be so far from them. So they brought me along. I was awfully sorry at first, but now it doesn't seem so bad.
gpt
I should think not! said Dick, indignantly.
human
I should think anyone would be mighty glad of a chance to come to school over here instead of in America! Why, you don't even play cricket over there, I've been told!
gpt
No, but we play baseball, said Harry, his eyes shining.
human
I really think I miss that more than anything else here in England. Cricket's all right--if you can't play baseball. It's a good enough game.
gpt
You can play, admitted Dick, rather grudgingly.
human
When you bowl, you've got some queer way of making the ball seem to bend--
gpt
I put a curve on it, that's all! said Harry, with a laugh.
human
If you'd ever played baseball, you'd understand that easily enough. See? You hold the ball like this--so that your fingers give it a spin as it leaves your hand.
gpt
Your bowlers here don't seem to do that--though they do make the ball break after it hits the ground. But the way I manage it, you see, is to throw a ball that doesn't hit the ground in front of the bat at all, but curves in. If you don't hit at it, it will hit the stumps and bowl you out; if you do hit, you're likely to send it straight up in the air, so that some fielder can catch it.
human
I see, said Dick.
gpt
Well, I suppose it's all right, but it doesn't seem quite fair.