‘Ireland is a troubled country, Johann,’ Swallow answered. ‘And the countryside is more troubled than the city. A struggle continues between rich landowners and small tenant farmers who want to have the security of ownership of their farms. And the country’s political fate is in the balance. You may know of the Irish parliamentary leader, Charles Stewart Parnell. He is trying to secure Home Rule for Ireland, to give it an independent parliament rather than having it simply represented at Westminster as a region of the United Kingdom.’

Pfaus laughed quietly.

‘That’s an ironic contrast with Germany. Almost twenty years ago the peoples of these states of central Europe united to form the German Empire, centred here in Prussia. Our great statesman Prince Otto Von Bismarck saw that the future lies in unity. And of course, the United States is the great example of strength through unity. How curious that your Mr Parnell sees a future in separateness. So where do you stand on that issue, Joseph?’

‘Policemen are not allowed to take part in politics in my country, Johann,’ Swallow said cautiously. ‘We enforce the law as best we can.’

Pfaus grinned.

‘Ah, yes. It’s the same in Germany. But it doesn’t prevent one having views, does it?’

‘No,’ Swallow admitted. ‘I don’t mind saying that I would like to see Parnell succeed in his objective. Ireland is a different country from England. It has a different culture, a different language, even though I must confess I don’t speak the Irish language. And I believe if Mr Parnell doesn’t succeed, people who are prepared to resort to violence will take over the argument. I’d also like to see the land of Ireland belong to the ordinary farming people, not to landowners who live in another country on the rents they extract from their tenants.’

‘I know that women are not supposed to be involved in political issues,’ Elena said quietly, laying her knife and fork on her plate, ‘but if the Irish are a different race from the English I think it makes perfect sense for them to be allowed to have their own parliament and to own the land their ancestors held.’

‘That is an argument, my dear, that appeals to emotions,’ Pfaus said.

Swallow detected a hint of irritation in his voice.

‘Prince Bismarck’s vision is based on reason, and it has been proven,’ Pfaus went on. ‘There is strength and prosperity in unity. Look at the great advantages that the people of Germany have now compared to how it was in their parents’ day. There is universal education, good hospitals for all, pensions for the elderly, support for the infirm and even legal protections for those who suffer injury in the course of employment.’

Elena shrugged.

‘Yes, I understand that people now are much better off. But there are other things that make people happy too.’