You dreamers, you theorists! How about the King's negotiations?
prime minister
[Rising, with the message in his hand.
Gentlemen, I have seen fit to abbreviate the King's message. I have not altered a word nor added a word. I have merely omitted all that did not seem to me pertinent or useful. The message reads as follows: "The King sent for the Ambassador of the Republic this afternoon and outlined a plan that would satisfy the royal government. The Ambassador regretted that he was unable to consider any compromise. The King replied that then he could have nothing more to say in the matter."
minister of war
There's ginger, by Heaven! The other was a dove-peep to a parley. This is a trumpet call of defiance.
chief of staff
[With quiet delight.
The Republic will never swallow that.
prime minister