The Prime Minister leaned back in his chair and awaited his secretary's return with a well-satisfied smile.

In a few minutes the latter presented himself.
"Well, Franklin," the great man said, "I've let them hear the truth for once.

Plain speaking, eh ?" The young man bowed.
"They certainly know your views, sir." The Minister glanced at his subordinate sharply.
"What's the matter with you this morning, Franklin ?" he demanded.
"There is nothing the matter with me, thank you, sir," was the quiet reply.
"You're not going to tell me that you disapprove of my attitude ?" "By no means, sir," the young man assured his Chief hastily,--"not altogether, that is to say.

At the same time, one wonders how far those two men represent the feeling of France." His Chief shrugged his shoulders.
"The military spirit is hard to kill," he said.

"It is in the blood of most Frenchmen.