ation, Dick?'

'I think it's the worst since First Ypres,' I said. 'Everybody's
cock-a-whoop, but God knows why.'

'God knows why,' Blenkiron repeated. 'I reckon it's a simple
calculation, and you can't deny it any more than a mathematical law.
Russia is counted out. The Boche won't get food from her for a good
many months, but he can get more men, and he's got them. He's fighting
only on one foot, and he's been able to bring troops and guns west so
he's as strong as the Allies now on paper. And he's stronger in
reality. He's got better railways behind him, and he's fighting on
inside lines and can concentrate fast against any bit of our front. I'm
no soldier, but that's so, Dick?'

The Frenchman smiled and shook his head. 'All the same they will not
pass. They could not when they were two to one in 1914, and they will
not now. If we Allies could not break through in the last year when we
had many more men, how will the Germans succeed now with only equal
numbers?'

Blenkiron did not look convinced. 'That's what they all say. I talked
to a general last week about the coming offensive, and he said he was
praying for it to hurry up, for he reckoned Fritz would get the fright
of his life. It's a good spirit, maybe, but I don't think it's sound on
the facts. We've got two mighty great armies of fine fighting-men, but,
because we've two commands, we're bound to move ragged like a peal of
bells. The Hun's got one army and forty years of stiff tradition, and,
what's more, he's going all out this time. He's going to smash our
front before America lines up, or perish in the attempt ... Why do you
suppose all the peace racket in Germany has died down, and the very men
that were talking democracy in the summer are now hot for fighting to a
finish? I'll tell you. It's because old Ludendorff has promised them
complete victory this spring if they spend enough men, and the Boche is
a good gambler and is out to risk it. We're not up against a local
attack this time. We're standing up to a great nation going bald-headed
for victory or destruction. If we're broken, then America's got to
fight a new campaign by herself when she's ready, and the Boche has
time to make Russia his feeding-ground and diddle our blockade. That
puts another five years on to the war, maybe another ten. Are we free
and independent peoples going to endure that much? ... I tell you we're
tossing to quit before Easter.'

He turned towards me, and I nodded asse