A friendly American who has just arrived in London brings a story of Edison. The great inventor was present at a dinner in New York to which Count Bernstorff had also found his way. The Count spoke of the number of new ships which Germany had built since the war began. He was listened to respectfully enough, although a little coldly, because the sympathies of the party were not with him or Germany.
When he had stopped, Edison looked up and said in a still, small voice, and with a serious face:
Must not the Kiel Canal be very crowded, your Excellency?