I
remembered how the word of this quiet man beside whom I stood had
been the inspiration and encouragement of his people through the
fierce conflict, the long agony: _"I have faith in our destiny;
a nation which defends itself does not perish; God will be with us
in that just cause."_
"Sir," I said, "you have a glorious kingdom which shall never be
taken away. But as for your land, the fates have been against you.
How will you ever get back to it? The Germans are strong as iron
and they bar the way. Will you make a peace with them and take what
they have so often offered you?"
"Never," he answered calmly; "that is not the way home, it is the
way to dishonor. When God brings me back, my army and my Queen are
going with me to liberate our people. There is only one way that
leads there--the King's high way. Look, _monsieur,_ you can
see the beginning of it down there. I hope you wish me well on that
road, for I shall never take another."
So he bade me good afternoon very courteously and walked away among
the dunes to his little cottage at La Panne.
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