conference ahead, and by the time the gentlemen were lighting their cigars, some

of the speculations being offered appeared to be as intimate as those exchanged

prior to Mr Lewis's arrival.

 

At one point, Mr Lewis said to the company:

 

"I agree with you, gentlemen, our M. Dupont can be very unpredictable. But let

me tell you, there's one thing you can bet on about him. One thing you can bet

on for sure." He leaned forward and waved his cigar for emphasis. "Dupont hates

Germans. He hated them before the war and he hates them now with a depth you

gentlemen here would find hard to understand." With that, Mr Lewis sat back in

his chair again, the genial smile returning fully to his face. "But tell me,

gentlemen," he continued, "you can hardly blame a Frenchman for hating the

Germans, can you? After all, a Frenchman has good cause to do so, hasn't he?"

 

There was a moment of slight awkwardness as Mr Lewis glanced around the table.

 

Then Lord Darlington said:

 

"Naturally, some bitterness is inevitable. But then, of course, we English also

fought the Germans long and hard."

 

"But the difference with you Englishmen", Mr Lewis said, seems to be-that you

don't really hate the Germans any more. But the way the French see it, the