“So do I; sit down and wait.”

“No, sir ! rise up and strike !”

“Do you mean it?”

“Yes, indeed! The de fensive isn’t in my line, and the of fensive is. That is, when I hold a fair hand — two-thirds as good a hand as the enemy. Oh, yes, we’ll rise up and strike; that’s our game.”

“A hundred to one you are right. When does the performance begin?”

“Now! We’ll proclaim the Republic.”

“Well, that will precipitate things, sure enough!”

“It will make them buzz, I tell you!