It is like a fire that flares up brilliantly for a while and
then leaves everything blacker and bleaker than before. After every
important war in South-East Europe in recent times there has been a
shrinking of the area of chronically disturbed territory, a stiffening of
the area of chronically disturbed territory, a stiffening of frontier
lines, an intrusion of civilised monotony. And imagine what may happen
at the conclusion of this war if the Turk should really be driven out of
Europe."
"Well, it would be a gain to the cause of good government, I suppose,"
said the Merchant.
"But have you counted the loss?" said the other. "The Balkans have long
been the last surviving shred of happy hunting-ground for the
adventurous, a playground for passions that are fast becoming atrophied
for want of exercise. In old bygone days we had the wars in the Low
Countries always at our doors, as it were; there was no need to go far
afield into malaria-stricken wilds if one wanted a life of boot and
saddle and licence to kill and be killed. Those who wished to see life
had a decent opportunity for seeing death at the same time."
"It is scarcely right to talk of killing and bloodshed in that way," said
the Merchant reprovingly; "one must remember that all men are brothers.
Pages:
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262