"With all my heart, monsieur," replied Fougas; "the artillery and the infantry. Artillery at a distance, infantry at close quarters—cavalry off at one side."
"Once more I beg your pardon," answered M. du Marnet; "you mean to say, at the sides, which is a very different matter."
"At the sides, or at one side, I don't care! As for me, if I were commander-in-chief, I would set the cavalry aside."
Several cavalry officers had already flung themselves into the discussion. M. du Marnet held them back, and made a sign that he wanted to answer Fougas alone.
"And why, then, if you please, would you set the cavalry aside?"
"Because the dragoon is an incomplete soldier."
"Incomplete?"
"Yes, sir; and the proof is, that the Government has to buy four or five hundred francs' worth of horse in order to complete him. And when the horse receives a ball or a bayonet thrust, the dragoon is no longer good for anything. Have you ever seen a cavalryman on foot? It would be a pretty sight!"
"I see myself on foot every day, and I don't see anything particularly ridiculous about it."
"I'm too polite to contradict you."