Robin Lee Thatcher - [The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs] by Fit to Be Tied

Author:Fit to Be Tied [Tied, Fit to Be]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

Sherwood entered the general store, a bell overhead announcing his presence. The store was empty except for three men standing near the counter at the back of the store, talking in agitated voices.

“I’m telling you, we oughta be fighting right now. I don’t care what that Sussex Pledge is about. We oughta be over there.”

“But the Germans have agreed to stop sinking liners and merchantmen that aren’t resisting them.”

“We shouldn’t even be talking to ’em. Oughta throw ’em out of the country. Spies. I’m tellin’ you. The Germans livin’ in America are all spies.”

“I’m afraid I don’t agree, Mr. Smith. But here’s somebody who knows a thing or two about fighting the Germans. Mr. Statham, come over here, if you don’t mind. Settle something for us.”

Sherwood had caught enough of the conversation to know he didn’t want to become involved, but he saw no way to escape. Reluctantly he walked toward the counter.

“Mr. Statham here’s from England, and I learned he fought in France before he was wounded.” Bert Humphrey, owner of the mercantile, patted him on the back as if they were long-lost friends. “What do you think, Mr. Statham? Shouldn’t America be fighting alongside the Allies? If we’d get in there, we could bring the whole thing to an end in a few weeks.”

How many times in the early days of the war had Sherwood heard someone say almost those same exact words? In August of 1914 nearly everyone in England had thought it would be over by Christmas. Almost two years and thousands upon thousands of casualties later, there was no end in sight. The position of the Western Front seemed rarely to change from week to week or month to month, no matter how many brave men fought and died trying to win a battle.

“A little American ingenuity. That’s what’s called for,” said the youngest of the three other men. “We can end what the Germans started.”

Oh, the bravado. The self-confidence. The swaggering, bragging dialogue of the young, of those who knew nothing.

“Well, Mr. Statham,” Bert said. “What do you think?”

“I’m sure your government is using every diplomatic means at their disposal to assure the safety of its citizens.”

The younger man grunted. “Who needs diplomats? All they do is talk. The Germans have sunk ships and killed Americans. They’re the ones who started this war. We shouldn’t be wasting time on words. We should give them what they deserve. We should drive them back to Germany with their tails between their legs.”

Two years ago Sherwood had probably said something similar. But he had no stomach for it now. Not for war or talk of war. Looking at Bert, he said, “Mr. Arlington asked that I pick up a few supplies.” He handed the proprietor the list on a slip of paper. “If it’s all right, I will come back for them in half an hour.”

“Sure. That’s fine.”

Sherwood nodded toward the other two men. “Good day to you, sirs.”

When he was outside again, he paused on the sidewalk long enough to draw a deep breath.

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