The drawn-up detail, the waiting staff listened.

This was all they heard:-- "Halleck tells me you're from California ?" "Yes, General." "Ah! I lived there, too, in the early days." "Wonderful country.

Developed greatly since my time, I suppose ?" "Yes, General." "Great resources; finest wheat-growing country in the world, sir.

You don't happen to know what the actual crop was this year ?" "Hardly, General! but something enormous." "Yes, I have always said it would be.

Have a cigar ?" He handed his cigar-case to the brigadier.