The closing week of the old year found the situation strained in the
Klein house. Herman had had plenty of opportunities for situations,
but all of them had to do directly or indirectly with the making of
munitions for the Allies. Old firms in other lines were not taking on
new men. It was the munition works that were increasing their personnel.
And by that time the determination not to assist Germany's enemies had
become a fixed one.
The day after Christmas, in pursuit of this idea, he commanded Anna
to leave the mill. But she had defied him, for the second time in her,
life, her face pale to the lips.
"Not on your life," she had said. "You may want to starve. I don't."
"There is plenty of other work."
"Don't you kid yourself. And, anyhow, I'm not looking for it. I don't
mind working so you can sit here and nurse a grouch, but I certainly
don't intend to start hunting another job."
She had eyed him morosely. "If you ask me," she continued, "you're out
of your mind. What's Germany to you? You forgot it as fast as you
could, until this war came along. You and Rudolph! You're long distance
patriots, you are."
"I will not help my country's enemies," he had said doggedly.
"Your country s enemies. My word! Isn't this your country? What's the
old Kaiser to you?"
He had ordered her out of the house, then, but she had laughed at him.
She could always better him in an argument.
"Suppose I do go?" she had inquired. "What are you going to live on? I'm
not crazy in the head, if you are."
She rather thought he would strike her. He had done it before, with the
idea of enforcing discipline. If he did, she would leave him. Let him
shift for himself. He had taken her money for years, and he could live
on that. But he had only glared at her.
"We would have done better to remain in Germany," he said. "America has
no respect for parents. It has no discipline. It is a country without
law."
She felt a weakening in him, and followed up her advantage.
"And another thing, while we're at it," she flung at him. "Don't you go
on trying to shove Rudolph down my throat. I'm off Rudolph for keeps."
She flung out her arm, and old Herman saw the gleam of something gold on
her wrist. He caught her hand in his iron grip and shoved up her sleeve.
There was a tiny gold wrist-watch there, on a flexible chain. His
amazement and rage gave her a moment to think, although she was
terrified.