"And now we are going to Calais! We shall start the bombardment of England from there with our big guns. Before long we shall all be in London."
And then would come the final strain, which was often true, as a matter of fact, in addition to being wily.
"I've left my good home behind me and my dear good wife, and away there in the Vaterland I have seven children awaiting my return. So you can imagine if I and men like me, wanted this war!"
It was generally seven children.
Sometimes it was more.
But it was never less!
The system was perfect, even about as small a thing as that!