158
THE PRIME MINISTER
Margaret.
Otto, is this necessary, inevitable ? Is there no
escape from it?
Otto.
What escape should there be? It will be an act
of justice and end the war.
Margaret.
The war will end as God wills it, Otto.
Otto.
Then there is father——
Margaret.
Father is dead. It will do him no good.
Otto.
There's you, too——
Margaret.
But you were wrong about that, Otto. And now
that you are out of uncle's house, why not let me
tell the Minister and cast ourselves on his mercy?
Otto.
[Bitterly.] His mercy!
Margaret.
He will forgive you—I'm sure he will. He will
see that compulsion has been put upon you, and if
you are in danger from the law—Oh, he is so wise,
so generous——