“Mr. Kennedy, you are proclaiming the old Greek idea of the state,” said Heideck.  “But I do not believe that the old Greeks had such a conception of the state as modern professors assert, and as ancient Rome practically carried out.  Professors are in the habit of quoting Plato, but Plato was too highly gifted not to understand that the state after all consists merely of men.  Plato regarded the state not as an idol on whose altar the citizen was obliged to sacrifice himself, but as an educational institution.  He says that really virtuous citizens could only be reared by an intelligently organised state, and for this reason he attached such importance to the state.  A state is in its origin only the outer form, which the inner life of the nation has naturally created for itself, and this conception should not be upset.  The state should educate the masses, in order that not only justice, but also external and internal prosperity may be realised.  The Romans certainly do not appear to have made the rearing of capable citizens, in accordance with Plato’s idea, the aim of the state; they were modern, like the great Powers of to-day, whose aim it is to grow as rich and powerful as possible.  We Germans also desire this, and that is why we are waging this war; but at the same time I assert that something higher dwells in the German national character—­the idea of humanity.  With us also our ideals are being destroyed, and therefore we are fighting for our ’place under the sun,’ in order to protect and secure our ideals together with our national greatness.”

At this point a servant entered and announced dinner.

At table the conversation shifted from philosophy and politics to art.  The ladies tried to cheer the old gentleman and banish his despair.  Elizabeth talked of the concerts in Simla and Calcutta, mentioning the great technical difficulties which beset music in India, owing to the instruments being so soon injured by the climate.  The moist air of the towns on the coast made the wood swell; the dry air of Central India, on the other hand, made it shrink, which was very injurious to pianos, but especially to violins and cellos.  Pianos, with metal instead of wood inside, were made for the tropics; but they had a shrill tone and were equally affected by abrupt changes of temperature.

After dinner Elizabeth seated herself at the piano, and it did Heideck good to find that Edith had a pleasant and well-trained alto voice.  She sang some melancholy English and Scotch songs.

“I have never sung since I left England,” she said, greatly moved.

Heideck had listened to the music with rapture.  After the fearful scenes of recent times the melodies affected him so deeply that his eyes filled with tears.  It was not only the music that affected him, but Edith’s soul, which spoke through it.

“What are you thinking of doing, Mr. Kennedy?” he asked the old gentleman.  “Shall you remain in Simla and keep Mrs. Irwin with you?”