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conscience can support Nazism.” She took a breath. “Now I ask thee, Ernst, for thy response.”
    Lane made a silent whistle. She had surprised him by really socking it to the German. She might be a pacifist, but she had fighting spirit.
    â€œThere are many answers I might give,” Ernst said slowly. “I might point out that other lands have their demagogues and their racists, and that nowhere is virtue necessarily rewarded in politics. I might mention Franklin Roosevelt of America, and the mistress he keeps despite being married. But we have touched on the faults of America before; they are no worse than the faults of other nations, including my own. I will say that while I do not support everything in which the Nazi party may be involved, and that there are those who owe their positions to factors other than merit, I strongly disagree about the
Führer
being either inconsequential or evil. I met him, two years ago, and I believe he is a great man, the kind of leader Germany requires in desperate times. He lifted us out of our slough of despond and made us powerful again. His programs have greatly helped the youth of our nation, and I am one who has benefited. I am here at this moment because Hitler arranged it, indirectly. He sees to the welfare of the brightest of our nation. I can not do less than applaud that.” He passed his hand inside his shirt and drew out a small object on a chain about his neck. It was a silver swastika. “This is why I value this symbol of Nazism, and wear it always. It represents my devotion to the Nazi ideal.”
    â€œBut the racism—” she protested, staring at the swastika with a certain morbid fascination.
    â€œNuh-uh,” Lane cut in. “No back talk. Wait your next turn.”
    â€œShe merely reminds me of an aspect I had neglected,” Ernst said. “The Nazis are not racists. We merely seek to promote the greatest welfare of our kind. We believe in encouraging the fittest, and in discouraging those who are detrimental to our society. Hitler discovered that the Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, mentally unfit, Communists and some others were not contributing to the welfare of the whole. Therefore he prefers to have them go to those lands where they may be welcome. We consider this to be good management.”
    Quality seemed unconvinced, but did not protest again.
    Ernst turned to Lane. “And how do you justify keeping company with a pacifist, when you are not?”
    How, indeed! Lane watched the road ahead, trying to marshal his thoughts. It was not enough merely to swear (affirm) that he loved Quality, or that she was perhaps the prettiest coed on the campus. He needed an objective basis. So he broadened the base, addressing not this one aspect, pacifism, but her religious background which fostered it.
    â€œI am turned off by ordinary people, which accounts for my acquaintances with both of you,” he said carefully. “Quality is a loyal member of her religion. She is a Quaker, which is the common name for the Religious Society of Friends. They got their nickname because in the early days they were supposed to have quaked in the presence of God. They object to many of the follies of man, such as violence, intoxication, cigarettes, foul language, gambling and overt sexuality. They are gentle people, concerned with good works, but that does not mean they are foolish. Many Quakers are well-to-do, for good business is part of their religion. Good
honest
business, for a Friend never cheats. There’s a joke that perhaps has some truth: a Quaker is the only person who can buy from a Jew, sell to a Scotsman, and make a profit.”
    There was a bark of laughter from Ernst, but Quality frowned. Perhaps she objected to the seeming derogation of Jews and Scotsmen. “At any rate, I understand that in Germany today, Quakers are the only people willing to do business with both Jews and Scotsmen,” Lane added quickly. “As