“I am afraid the time is not ripe,” he said sadly.
For a moment General Pershing seemed on the verge of making an angry retort. Instead, he said quietly:
“I was prepared to hear you advance such views, sir, so I have another suggestion to offer.”
“Proceed, sir,” said Marshal Foch.
“It is this,” said General Pershing: “I want to ask you if you will act on my suggestion if I can gain for you such information as will convince you that the time is really ripe to strike? Will you act on my suggestion if I furnish you with better figures as to the enemy’s strength in the various battle sectors and the disposition of his troops?”
“Why,” replied Marshal Foch, “if you can show me that the time is ripe to strike, of course I shall strike. But I fear that is a very large task, sir.”
“Very true, sir. Yet I shall endeavor to fulfill it. It was for that reason, sir, that I brought with me the two young lieutenants I mentioned.”
Marshal Foch surveyed Hal and Chester keenly.
“They are very young,” he said deprecatingly.
“True,” said General Pershing, “yet I say with all positiveness that they are among the most capable of my officers.”