And he began to relate the records of that valorous nation on the sea from the time these people on the Tagus served in the Carthaginian triremes to Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Cabral, Bartholomew Diaz. Never was conversation more polished, imaginative, and undisturbed.
A terrific explosion shook the house; part of the roof rolled down the staircase; the cook and the waiter jumped into the hall.
“Well, what is it?”
“Major, it fell in the garden, ten feet from the kitchen.”
“The gentlemen are waiting for their coffee. Bring it.”
The doctor could stand no more, alleged that perhaps there were wounded waiting for him at the dressing station, and asked permission to withdraw.
The servants brought in the boiling coffee in a hurry, and he got up to go, as the commander said:
“We’ll go along with you. We’ll see whether the shells have done much damage in the cantonment.”
“But, Commander, do you think it’s prudent to venture out in the streets just now?”