All of them, all except Phineas, constructed at infinite cost to themselves these Maginot Lines against this enemy they thought they saw across the frontier, this enemy who never attacked that way-if he ever attacked at all; if he was indeed the enemy.

Summary

This quote highlights how people often create unnecessary barriers and defenses against perceived threats. The mention of the Maginot Line, a series of fortifications built by France in the 1930s, suggests that individuals go to great lengths to protect themselves from an enemy they may not fully understand. The question raised of whether the enemy truly exists or poses any real danger underscores the idea that people's fears and actions can be misguided and counterproductive.