Mr. Ad. Off. Nothing more than the usual meaningless cruising.
Un. Ins.-Gen. I read something about the landing of the wounded?
Mr. Ad. Off. Ah—that is new! We are going to "assume" a number of wounded. To quote from the Regulations—"Before the ships leave for the ports, officers in command of fleets and squadrons are to communicate to each Commander-in-Chief, by telegraph, the aggregate number of assumed wounded that may be expected to reach his port."
Un. Ins.-Gen. Tell me what do we want with these pointless Manoeuvres? Wouldn't it have answered everyone's purpose if there had been a lecture in lieu of them at the Royal United Service Institution?
Mr. Ad. Off. I should not be surprised.
Un. Ins.-Gen. Then why run into this unnecessary expense?
Mr. Ad. Off. You really must ask my successor!
[Exeunt severally.