"What does it mean in reality: Germania, Italia, La France, Britannia?
Half a score of pompous old muddlers with their fat wives egging them on: sons of the fools before them; talkers who have wormed themselves into power by making frothy speeches and fine promises.

My Country!" he laughed again.

"Look at them.

Can't you see their swelling paunches and their flabby faces?
Half a score of ambitious politicians, gouty old financiers, bald-headed old toffs, with their waxed moustaches and false teeth.

That's what we mean when we talk about 'My Country': a pack of selfish, soulless, muddle- headed old men.