Strike at once.


MINISTER OF WAR

You dreamers, you theorists! How about the King's negotiations?


PRIME MINISTER

[_Rising, with the message in his hand._

Gentlemen, I have seen fit to abbreviate the King's message. I have not
altered a word nor added a word. I have merely omitted all that did not
seem to me pertinent or useful. The message reads as follows: "The King
sent for the Ambassador of the Republic this afternoon and outlined a
plan that would satisfy the royal government. The Ambassador regretted
that he was unable to consider any compromise. The King replied that
then he could have nothing more to say in the matter."


MINISTER OF WAR

There's ginger, by Heaven! The other was a dove-peep to a parley. This
is a trumpet call of defiance.


CHIEF OF STAFF