Why did he just stand there , glowering importantly ? `` Ask him -- ask him , '' she said feverishly to Allan Daly . But somebody else had already asked him . The room grew very silent all at once . Outside the fiddler had stopped for a rest and there was silence there too . Afar off they heard the low moan of the gulf -- the presage of a storm already on its way up the Atlantic . A girl 's laugh drifted up from the rocks and died away as if frightened out of existence by the sudden stillness . `` England declared war on Germany today , '' said Jack Elliott slowly . `` The news came by wire just as I left town . '' `` God help us , '' whispered Gertrude Oliver under her breath . `` My dream -- my dream ! The first wave has broken . '' She looked at Allan Daly and tried to smile . `` Is this Armageddon ? '' she asked . `` I am afraid so , '' he said gravely . A chorus of exclamations had arisen round them -- light surprise and idle interest for the most part . Few there realized the import of the message -- fewer still realized that it meant anything to them . Before long the dancing was on again and the hum of pleasure was as loud as ever . Gertrude and Allan Daly talked the news over in low , troubled tones .
Walter Blythe had turned pale and XXXXX the room .
Atlantic Daly Elliott Germany Gertrude Oliver fiddler first left storm