"If Prussia should send an expeditionary force to Cornwall, or the Siamese should declare themselves on the side of the Ulster men! We must keep in politics to possibilities that are reasonable." "Take another view of the same case, then," Norgate continued.

"Supposing Germany should violate Belgium's independence ?" "You silly idiot!" Hebblethwaite exclaimed, as he took a long draught of his whisky and soda, lit a cigar, and leaned back in his chair, "the neutrality of Belgium is guaranteed by a treaty, actually signed by Germany!" "Supposing she should break her treaty ?" Norgate persisted.

"I told you what I heard in the train the other night.

It isn't for nothing that that sort of work is going on." Hebblethwaite shook his head.
"You are incorrigible, Norgate! Germany is one of the Powers of Europe undoubtedly possessing a high sense of honour and rectitude of conduct.
If any nation possesses a national conscience, and an appreciation of national ethics, they do.

Germany would be less likely than any nation in the world to break a treaty." "Hebblethwaite," Norgate declared solemnly, "if you didn't understand the temperament and character of your constituents better than you do the German temperament and character, you would never have set your foot across the threshold of Westminster.