chief of staff
[Without turning.
So do we all. War is the soldier's work. And he does not want to play all his life. Look. We land here and here and here.
[He indicates places on the map with a paper-cutter, speaking with growing excitement.
No defenses, except at this place—a masonry fort built thirty years ago. Bad cement, moreover. Fraudulent contractor. Then—
minister of war
[Returning to his desk, resolutely.
No, you old hawk, we're not going to do it. We'll be content to settle ourselves in peaceful graves, you and I and the old Chief. No war, no war!
chief of staff
[Calmly.