reparations it had imposed. Every German was firmly set in the conviction that the Allies
were deliberately keeping the Fatherland from getting on its feet again, and that all their
trouble was a direct consequence of this. Lanny would point out that now there was a
moratorium on all their debts, not only reparations but post-war borrowings, so it ought to be
possible for them to recover soon. But he never knew that argument to have the slightest effect;
there was a national persecution complex which operated subconsciously, as in an individual.
Since there were so few passengers, Lanny had a week in which to study the ship and those
who manned it. Knowing Germany so well, he had a passport to their hearts. He could tell the
officers that he had been a guest of General Graf Stubendorf; he could tell the stewards that
he had talked with Adolf Hitler; he could tell the crew that he was a brother-in-law of Hansi
Robin. The vessel was a miniature nation, with representatives of all the various groups in about
the right proportions. Some of the officers had formerly served in the German navy, and some
of those who tended the engines had rebelled against them and made the Socialist revolution.
In between were the middle classes—stewards, barbers, clerks, radio men, petty officers—all of
whom worked obsequiously for tips but would work harder for love if you whispered:
Irma couldn't understand Lanny's being interested to talk to such people, and for so long a
time. He explained that it was a sociological inquiry; if Rick had been along he would have
written an article: "The Floating Fatherland." It was a question of the whole future of
Germany. How deeply was the propaganda of Dr. Joseph Goebbels taking effect? What were
the oilers thinking? What did the scullery men talk about before they dropped into their
bunks? There were dyed-in-the-wool Reds, of course, who followed the Moscow line and were
not to be swerved; but others had become convinced that Hitler was a genuine friend of the people
and would help them to get shorter hours and a living wage. Arguments were going on day and
night, an unceasing war of words all over the ship. Which way was the balance swinging?
Important also was what Capain Rundgasse said. As the physician has a bedside manner, so the
captain of a passenger liner has what might be called a steamer-chairside manner. He talked
with two wealthy and fashionable young Americans, saying that he could understand why they
were worried by the political aspect of his country; but really there was no need for concern.
Fundamentally all Germans were German, just as all Englishmen were English, and when it was a
question of the welfare and safety of the Fatherland all would become as one. That applied to the
deluded Socialists, and even to the Communists—all but a few criminal leaders. It applied to the
National Socialists especially. If Adolf Hitler were to become Chancellor tomorrow, he would
show himself a good German, just like any other, and all good Germans would support him
and obey the laws of their country.
III
Bienvenu seemed small and rather dowdy when one came to it from Shore Acres. But it was
home, and there were loving hearts here. Beauty had spent a quiet but contented summer, or
so she said. That most unlikely of marriages was turning out one of the best; she couldn't say
enough about the goodness and kindness of Parsifal Dingle—that is, not enough to satisfy
herself, although she easily satisfied her friends. She was trying her best to become spiritual-
minded, and also she had the devil of
idea that when you were well padded, you didn't develop wrinldes. She was certainly a
blooming Beauty.
Madame Zyszynski had been two or three times to visit Zaharoff at Monte Carlo; then he had
gone north to the Chateau de Balin-court, and had written to ask if Beauty would do him the
great favor of letting Madame come for a while. She had spent the month of August there, and
had been well treated, and impressed by the grandeur of the place, but rather lonely, with those
strange Hindu servants to whom she couldn't talk. When she was leaving, the old gentleman
had presented her with a diamond solitaire ring which must have cost twenty or thirty
thousand francs. She was proud of it, but afraid to wear it and afraid it might be stolen, so she
had asked Beauty to put it away in her safe-deposit box.
Lanny took up the subject of child study again. He would have liked to find out if Baby
Frances would discover the art of the dance for herself; but this was not possible, because
Marceline was there, dancing all over the place, and nothing could keep her from taking a tiny
toddler by the hands and teaching her to caper and jump. Every day the baby grew stronger,
and before that winter was over there was a pair of dancers, and if the phonograph or the
piano wasn't handy, Marceline would sing little tunes and sometimes make up words about
