The officer made a note of that, as a most significant fact. He then asked:
"How many soldiers vos coming from New Zealand efery mont?"
"Oh, tousan an tousan. Not enuf ship yet to bring him all."
"How many Maoris vos der bein trained?"
"Oh, bout two million, I tink."
"Gott in himmel! Are dey as big as you?"
Henare grinned and said:
"Oh, te Maori bigger 'n me. Me te little bloke, all right. No room for te big Maori on te ole troopship I came in."
The German looked thoughtful, and a bit suspicious.
"Are you telling me der truth?"