BOURGEOIS. Then Monsieur has assisted at the great attack!
SUBALTERN. Oh, yes, I helped a very little bit.
BOURGEOIS. There have been immense losses, is it not so?
SUBALTERN (vaguely). There are always great losses when one attacks.
BOURGEOIS. Ah! but much greater than one expected—I have seen, I, the wounded coming down the river.
SUBALTERN. I—I have always expected great losses.
BOURGEOIS. 'Tis true. There are always great losses when one attacks. But all goes well, Monsieur, is it not so?
SUBALTERN. It is difficult to estimate the success of an attack until after several weeks. But I think that all goes well.
BOURGEOIS. But yes, the French, they have had a great success, and also the English. The English are wonderful. Their equipment! It is that which astonishes me. Everything is complete. They say that the English have saved France; but the French also, they have saved England, is it not so, Monsieur?
SUBALTERN. But we are saving each other!