It is very foolish of Belgium not to give them leave, as they are so much the strongest." "Mother darling, you don't understand one syllable about it," said Sylvia.
"Very likely not, dear, but I am very glad we are an island, and that nobody can come marching here.

But it is all a dreadful upset, Lord--I mean Michael, what with Hermann in Germany, and the concert tour abandoned.

Still, if everything is quiet again by the middle of October, as I daresay it will be, it might come off after all.

He will be on the spot, and you and Michael can join him, though I'm not quite sure if that would be proper.

But we might arrange something: he might meet you at Ostend." "I'm afraid it doesn't look very likely," remarked Michael mildly.
"Oh, and are you pessimistic too, like Sylvia?
Pray don't be pessimistic.