MINISTER OF WAR

[_Returning to his desk, resolutely._

No, you old hawk, we're not going to do it. We'll be content to settle
ourselves in peaceful graves, you and I and the old Chief. No war, no
war!


CHIEF OF STAFF

[_Calmly._

That is sentiment. Here is fact. We land here and here and here. Then
march down here and up there, uniting the armies. Rich country. I've
never seen it, but I know it better than any letter-carrier in the
district. We live on the land, burning and pillaging if the inhabitants
don't give us what we want. A little dose will tame them. We'll sweep
all before us in six weeks.


MINISTER OF WAR

[_In mock protest._

Stop, man, stop! You make me want to try it.


CHIEF OF STAFF