“I have seen enough,” said Ultimus. “Why do they go there?”
“Because if they did not Fatterland would be overrun with the savages hired by the Fattish.”
“Would that be worse?”
“It would not last so long,” replied the officer, “but we should have lost our honour as a nation.”
“That,” said Ultimus, “is exactly how the most beautiful woman in Fatland talks. What is this honour?”
“It is holy,” said the officer with so fatuously fervent an expression that Ultimus laughed.
“Does your Highness wish to see the eastern frontier?”
“No, thank you. That is enough.”
The airship soared up. It was now night. The stars came out and Ultimus mused:
“Out of all the planets why should this be tortured with the life of men? Is it their vast numbers that drive them mad? Or are they so vile that war is their normal condition and peace only a rest from it?”