ory, and
especially German history. Day and night he studied with feverish
intensity the diplomacy and policies of the great powers of Europe till
at length he came to a somewhat clear understanding of the modern theory
and world policy of the German state which had made war inevitable. But,
though his study made it possible for him to relieve his country from
the charge of guilt in this war, his anxiety and his misery remained.
For one thing, he was oppressed with an overwhelming loneliness. He
began to feel that he was dwelling among an alien people. He had made
many and close friends during the months of his stay in Chicago. But
while they were quick to offer him sympathy in his anxiety and misery,
he could not fail to observe on every hand the obvious and necessary
indications of the neutral spirit. He could expect nothing else. In this
conflict America had decided that she was not immediately concerned and
she was resolute to remain unconcerned. A leading representative of the
Chicago press urged Americans to be careful not to "rock the boat." The
President of the United States counselled his people "to keep calm"
and to observe the strictest neutrality. Larry discovered, too, an
unconfessed, almost unconscious desire in the heart of many an American,
a relic of Revolutionary days, to see England not destroyed or even
seriously disabled, but, say, "well trimmed." It would do her good.
There was, beside, a large element in the city distinctly and definitely
pro-German and intensely hostile to Great Britain. On his way to the
office one afternoon Larry found himself held up by a long procession
of young German reservists singing with the utmost vigour and with an
unmistakable note of triumph the German national air, "Die Wacht Am
Rhein," and that newer song which embodied German faith and German
ambition, "Deutschland Uber Alles." When he arrived at the office that
afternoon he was surprised to find that he was unable to go on with his
work for the trembling of his hands. In the office he was utterly alone,
for, however his friends there might take pains to show extra kindness,
he was conscious of complete isolation from their life. Unconcerned,
indifferent, coolly critical of the great conflict in which his people
were pouring out blood like water, they were like spectators at a
football match on the side lines willing to cheer good play on either
side and ready to acclaim the winner.

The Wakehams, though extremely