You would
have destroyed it, because in the world-war that would have been the
first point of attack."
She raised her eyebrows, but was silent.
"Somehow," he went on after a moment, "I could never associate a woman
with destructiveness, with wars and with violence."
"That is an unjust way of saying it," she interposed. And then,
musingly: "Isn't it odd that you and I--standing here by the rail--have,
in a way, held the destinies of the whole great earth in our hands? And
now your remark makes me feel that you alone have stood for peace and
the general good, and I for destruction and evil."
"I didn't mean that," Mr. Grimm said quickly. "You have done your duty
as you saw it, and--"
"Failed!" she interrupted.
"And I have done my duty as I saw it."
"And won!" she added. She smiled a little sadly. "I think, perhaps you
and I might have been excellent friends if it had not been for all
this."
"I know we should have," said Mr. Grimm, almost eagerly. "I wonder if
you will ever forgive me for--for--?"
"Forgive you?" she repeated. "There is nothing to forgive. One must do
one's duty. But I wish it could have been otherwise.
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