“Convey to them the conception that these are unprotected chickens.” He turned to me, saluting with his hand to his temple, and explained, “It will inflame their interest in the poultry, sire.”
A few minutes elapsed. Then the squad marched in and formed up, their faces glowing with enthusiasm, and the file-leader shouted:
“Ebbi polli, I had chickens!”
“Good!” I said. “Go on, the next.”
“Avest polli, thou hadst chickens!”
“Fine! Next!”
“Ebbe polli, he had chickens!”
“Moltimoltissimo! Go on, the next!”
“Avemmo polli, we had chickens!”
“Basta-basta aspettatto avanti—last man—charge!”