"What shall we do in the meantime? I think myself we might wait till to-morrow before sending him to the general. What do you say, Colonel?"
"Yes, yes, to-morrow will do."
"Shall he stay with us for the present?"
"Yes, he can stay with us. I will tell Somione to make up a bed for him. Four children! What a story!"
"And if the general has him shot, Colonel?"
"Hm! yes.... It all depends on the mood he is in. One cannot talk about children with the general."
"War is a horrible thing, Colonel. Is it not?"
"Yes, it is, if you want my opinion. But duty, you know, and the uniform and the military oath. I'd as soon they all went to the devil. Don't let us think of it any more till to-morrow. It gives me a feeling of constriction at the heart. Ask him if he will take wine. We will have supper together."
III. Dreams
The prisoner's bed was placed in the same room with the Colonel and the Major.