“Why, if we had not even that,” said the old, always dissatisfied Lieutenant-Colonel, “the continual uncertainty we are living in—seeing people killed day after day, and no end to it, would be intolerable. And to have dirt and discomfort added to it——”
“But our infantry officers,” said Kalougin, “they live at the bastions with their men in the bomb-proofs, and eat soldiers’ soup—what of them?”
“What of them? Well, though it’s true they wear the same shirt for ten days at a time, they are heroes all the same—wonderful men.”
Just then an infantry officer entered the room.
“I . . . I have orders . . . may I see the Gen . . . his Excellency? I have come with a message from General N.,” he said, bowing shyly.
Kalougin rose, and, not returning the officer’s bow, asked with an offensive, aff
