Page:The life of the insects by Čapek brothers.pdf/64

 Chief Engineer. According to plan. Sixth Regiment replace them. Chief Engineer. According to plan. Sixth Regiment replace them.

A Wounded Man. The fifth Regiment, our regiment—we’re all destroyed. Stop! Stop!

[Telegraph instrument clatters.

Signal Officer. (Reading dispatch) ‘Fifth regiment destroyed. We await orders.’

Chief Engineer. Sixth take its place. (To 2nd ) Issue a report.

2nd Engineer. The battle is developing successfully. The Fifth Regiment especially distinguished itself, heroically repelling all attacks, whereupon it was relieved by the Sixth.

Chief Engineer. Bravo! I will decorate you with the steel Cross.

2nd Engineer. Thank you. I am only doing my duty.

Journalist. (Approaching with note-book) I am a journalist; shall we announce a victory?

Chief Engineer. Yes. Successful operations. Thanks to our plans prepared years ago. The admirable spirit of our forces—irresistible advance—the enemy demoralized.

Journalist. We—we—we

Chief Engineer. Eh?