"If I can, monsieur. What are their names?"
"Carron; two brothers--one in the Engineers, the other in the Hussars."
"Tiens! Yes--Carron! I know them. Some of our guns have the same name. They are well, monsieur. I saw them only yesterday."
"Thank God for that! And I thank you, monsieur, most gratefully."
"It is nothing. One of them was sorely wounded, but the Grand Duke sent his own doctor, and he is recovered. They were walking together yesterday, and we spoke. I shall tell them of your inquiry. What name, monsieur?"
"Eager--Charles Eager. Will you tell them all are well at home and very desirous of seeing them. If only this terrible war would come to an end!"
"Yes, indeed; le Malheur! But I assure you, monsieur, we will stop fighting at once if only you will all go home."
"I wish I could make them," said Eager. "It is terrible work." And he looked round at the broken men lying so thickly all about.
"It is rough play. Whether the omelets are worth all the broken eggs, I cannot say. Have you any idea what we're fighting about, monsieur?"
"General principles, I suppose."