ented her exact opinion three years ago, and she
had had no reason to change it since.

On this dull, sad, November afternoon she suddenly remembered the
delightful _Ausflug_, or "fly out," as it is so happily called, when she
had accompanied Willi and his Minna to Wannsee, on the blue Havel.

How happy they had all been that day! The little party had brought their
own coffee and sugar, but they had had many a delicious glass of beer as
well. All had been joy and merriment.

It was bitter to know that some people heard from Germany even now.
There was little doubt in her mind that Manfred Hegner, or rather Alfred
Head, as she was learning to call him at his very particular request,
was in communication with the Fatherland. He had as good as said so the
last time she had seen him; adding the unnecessary warning that she
must be careful not to tell any one so in Witanbury, as it might do him
harm.

Anna was naturally a prudent woman, and she had become quite proud of
Alfred Head's friendship and confidence. She much enjoyed the evenings
she now so often spent in the stuffy little parlour behind the large,
airy shop. Somehow she always left there feeling happy and cheerful. The
news that he gave her of the Fatherland, and of what was happening on
the various fighting fronts, was invariably glorious and comforting. He
smiled with good-natured contempt at the "Kitcheners" who were beginning
to flood the old cathedral city with an ever-growing tide of khaki, and
who brought him and all his fellow-tradesmen in Witanbury such increased
prosperity.

"Fine cannon-fodder!" Mr. Head would exclaim, of course in German. "But
no good without the rifles, the ammunition, and above all the guns,
which I hear they have not!"

Every one was still very kind to Anna, and her ladies' friends made no
difference in their manner--in fact they were perhaps a shade more
cordial and kindly. Nevertheless the old woman realised that feeling
towards Germany and the Germans had undergone a surprising change during
the last few weeks. No, it was not the War--not even the fact that so
many Englishmen had already been killed by German guns and shells. The
change was owing--amazing and almost incredible fact--to the behaviour
of the German Army in Belgium!

Anna hated Belgium and the Belgians. She could not forget how unhappy
and ill-used she had been in Ostend; and yet now English people of all
classes hailed the Belgians as heroes, and were treat