What will become of this younger
generation? Well, I give it up. Dorothy, my dear, whatever will happen
to those unfortunate Russians, I shall never recover from the shock of
your shell. The thing is absolutely impossible. Can't you see that the
moment you get down to details? How are you going to procure your
shells, or your shell-firing gun? They are not to be bought at the
first hardware store you come to on Sixth Avenue."
"Johnson says he can get them," proclaimed Kate with finality.
"Oh, damn Johnson! Dorothy, I beg your pardon, but really, this
daughter of mine, combined with that Johnson of yours, is just a
little more than I can bear."
"Then what are we to do?" demanded his daughter. "Sit here with folded
hands?"
"That would be a great deal better than what you propose. You should
do something sane. You mustn't involve a pair of friendly countries in
war. Of course the United States would utterly disclaim your act, and
discredit me if I were lunatic enough to undertake such a wild goose
chase, which I'm not; but, on the other hand, if two of our girls
undertook such an expedition, no man can predict the public clamor
that might arise. Why, when the newspapers get hold of a question, you
never know where they will end it. Undoubtedly you two girls should be
sent to prison, and, with equal undoubtedness, the American people
wouldn't permit it."
"You bet they wouldn't," said Katherine, dropping into slang.
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