"Indeed? That is very interesting. And we shall take them—do you think?"
"We must. The attacking columns will be of great strength, and the attack will be preceded by a tremendous cannonade."
"So we may expect great news in the next few days?" said Mrs. Wilders, eagerly.
"More bloodshed!" added Mrs. Jones, with a deep sigh. "This terrible war!"
"You can't make omelettes without breaking eggs," said Mr. Hobson, sententiously. "The more terrible a war is, the sooner it is ended."
"We are getting very ghastly in our talk," said Mrs. Wilders. "Suppose we go into the drawing-room and have some tea."
As they passed out of the dining-room, Mr. Hobson managed to whisper a few words.
"I have squeezed him dry: that was all I wanted to know. I need not stay any longer, I think."
"Who knows? His special messenger may come down with the very latest. If so, you ought to be able to extract that from him too."
Mrs. Wilders spoke these words carelessly; but, as often happens, they correctly foretold what presently occurred.