Hornet Flight by Ken Follett

questions for our guest?”
    Mads was on his feet in an instant. “Sir, Norway was invaded on the same day as Denmark, but the Norwegians fought for two months. Doesn’t that make us cowards?” His tone was scrupulously polite, but the question was challenging, and there was a rumble of agreement from the boys.
    â€œA naive view,” Agger said. His dismissive tone angered Harald.
    Heis intervened. “Norway is a land of mountains and fjords, difficult to conquer,” he said, bringing his military expertise to bear. “Denmark is a flat country with a good road system—impossible to defend against a large motorized army.”
    Agger added, “To put up a fight would have caused unnecessary bloodshed, and the end result would have been no different.”
    Mads said rudely, “Except that we would have been able to walk around with our heads held high, instead of hanging them in shame.” It sounded to Harald like something he might have heard at home from his military relations.
    Agger colored. “The better part of valor is discretion, as Shakespeare wrote.”
    Mads said, “In fact, sir, that was said by Falstaff, the most famous coward in world literature.” The boys laughed and clapped.
    â€œNow, now, Kirke,” said Heis mildly. “I know you feel strongly about this, but there’s no need for discourtesy.” He looked around the room and pointed to one of the younger boys. “Yes, Borr.”
    â€œSir, don’t you think Herr Hitler’s philosophy of national pride and racial purity could be beneficial if adopted here in Denmark?” Woldemar Borr was the son of a prominent Danish Nazi.
    â€œElements of it, perhaps,” Agger said. “But Germany and Denmark are different countries.” That was plain prevarication, Harald thought angrily. Couldn’t the man find the guts to say that racial persecution was wrong?
    Heis said plaintively, “Would any boy like to ask Mr. Agger about his everyday work as a member of the Rigsdag, perhaps?”
    Tik stood up. Agger’s self-satisfied tone had irritated him, too. “Don’t you feel like a puppet?” he said. “After all, it’s the Germans who really rule us. You’re just pretending.”
    â€œOur nation continues to be governed by our Danish parliament,” Agger replied.
    Tik muttered, “Yes, so you get to keep your job.” The boys nearby heard him and laughed.
    â€œThe political parties remain—even the Communists,” Agger went on. “We have our own police, and our armed forces.”
    â€œBut the minute the Rigsdag does something the Germans disapprove of, it will be closed down, and the police and the military will be disarmed,” Tik argued. “So you’re acting in a farce.”
    Heis began to look annoyed. “Remember your manners, please, Duchwitz,” he said peevishly.
    â€œThat’s all right, Heis,” said Agger. “I like a lively discussion. If Duchwitz thinks our parliament is useless, he should compare our circumstances with those prevailing in France. Because of our policy of cooperation with the Germans, life is a great deal better, for ordinary Danish people, than it might be.”
    Harald had heard enough. He stood up and spoke without waiting for permission from Heis. “And what if the Nazis come for Duchwitz?” he said. “Will you advise friendly cooperation then?”
    â€œAnd why should they come for Duchwitz?”
    â€œThe same reason they came for my uncle in Hamburg—because he’s a Jew.”
    Some of the boys looked around with interest. They probably had not realized Tik was Jewish. The Duchwitz family were not religious, and Tik went along to services in the ancient redbrick church just like everyone else.
    Agger showed irritation for the first time. “The occupying forces have demonstrated complete tolerance toward Danish Jews.”
    â€œSo