Which squad is detailed for duty next ?" "The Past Definite." "Send out and order it to the front--with chickens.

And let them understand that we don't want any more of this cold indifference." He gave the order to an aide, adding, with a haunting tenderness in his tone and a watering mouth in his aspect: "Convey to them the conception that these are unprotected chickens." He turned to me, saluting with his hand to his temple, and explained, "It will inflame their interest in the poultry, sire." A few minutes elapsed.

Then the squad marched in and formed up, their faces glowing with enthusiasm, and the file-leader shouted: "EBBI POLLI, I had chickens!" "Good!" I said.

"Go on, the next." "AVEST POLLI, thou hadst chickens!" "Fine! Next!" "EBBE POLLI, he had chickens!" "Moltimoltissimo! Go on, the next!" "AVEMMO POLLI, we had chickens!" "Basta-basta aspettatto avanti--last man--CHARGE!" "EBBERO POLLI, they had chickens!" Then they formed in echelon, by columns of fours, refused the left, and retired in great style on the double-quick.

I was enchanted, and said: "Now, doctor, that is something LIKE! Chickens are the ticket, there is no doubt about it.