"No fear. They'll all be peaceful then, and we'll be barbarians, and not to be spoken of."
"Barbarian, my foot! We're the cleanest lot in England, and the English are cleaner than most races."
"Do you think there'll be another battle?"
"Oh, help! If that cag's going to start, I'm off. Good-night, sir."
"I must go too, Jim," said the guest, with a startled glance at the clock. "Where did I leave my coat?"
The Senior Engineer rose and followed them out, hearing as he passed through the door an unwearying voice by the stove—"I know a chap on Beatty's staff, and he says they'll fight next spring or summer."
THE GUNLAYER.
"Hit first—hit hard—and keep on hitting, is a good rule, but what I want to impress on you is that in this war the last part of that rule is the most important. The enemy shoots remarkably well—at a target—but he does not appear to stand punishment well himself. It is remarkable how the German shooting falls off once he gets a few big shells aboard him, and up to date it has been noticeable that our own practice is, up to a certain point, improved by our being hit. It is just a matter of sticking power...."