"Why did he come?
What did he expect to see?
I know what he expected to see--romantic Russia, romantic war.

He expected to find us, our hearts exploding with love, God's smile on our simple faces, God's simple faith in our souls....

He has been told by his cleverest writers that Russia is the last stronghold of God.
And war?
He thought that he would be plunged into a scene of smoke and flame, shrapnel, horror upon horror, danger upon danger.

He finds instead a country house, meals long and large, no sounds of cannon, not even an aeroplane.

Are we kind to him?
Not at all....