_French._ Ah, how do you do, Major? We have been waiting for you.
_Myself._ How do you do, Sir? (_To_ JOFFRE, _slowly_) _Comment
vous portéz-vous?_
_Joffre._ Thank you; I speak English.
_Myself_ (_a little disappointed_). Good.
_French._ Now then, Major, let us hear your plan.
_Myself._ Well, roughly it is a broad sweeping move----I _beg_ your
pardon, Sir!
_Joffre_ (_with native politeness_). Not at all, Monsieur.
_Myself_ (_stepping back so as to have more room_)--a broad sweeping
movement. More particularly my idea is----
[It is a curious thing, but I can never remember the rest of this
speech when I wake up. I know it disclosed a very masterly piece of
tactics ... the region of the Argonne ... a _point d'appui_.... No, it
has gone again. But I fancy the word "wedge" came in somewhere.]
_French._ Marvellous!
_Joffre._ _Magnifique!_
_Myself_ (_modestly_). Of course it's only an idea I jotted down on the
boat, but I think there's something in it.
_French._ My dear Major, you have saved Europe.
_Joffre_ (_unpinning medal from his coat_). In the name of France I
give you this. But you have a medal already, Monsieur?
_Myself_ (_proudly_). My special constable's badge, General. I shall be
proud to see the other alongside it.
_The scene fades._
[I can only suppose that at this moment I am moved by the desire to
save useless bloodshed, for I next find myself with the enemy.]