Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1898. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... the position of the forces by taking a grapeskin from his mouth and planting it on the map with his thumb like a wafer. He has a supply of writing materials before him mixed up in disorder with the dishes and cruets; and his long hair gets sometimes into the risotto gravy and sometimes into the ink. Giuseppe. Will your excellency--Napoleon (intent on his map, but cramming himself mechanically with his left hand). Don't talk. I'm busy. Giuseppe (with perfectgoodhumor). Excellency: I obey. Napoleon. Some red ink. Giuseppe. Alas! excellency, there is none. Napoleon (with Corsican facetiousness). Kill something and bring me its blood. Giuseppe (grinning). There is nothing but your excellency's horse, the sentinel, the lady upstairs, and my wife. Napoleon. Kill your wife. Giuseppe. Willingly, your excellency; but unhappily I am not strong enough. She would kill me. Napoleon. That will do equally well. Giuseppe. Your excellency does me too much honor. (Stretching his hand toward the flask.) Perhaps some wine will answer your excellency's purpose. Napoleon (hastily protecting the flask, and becoming quite serious). Wine! No: that would be waste. You are all the same: waste! waste! waste! (He marks the map with gravy, using his fork as a pen.) Clear away. (He finishes his wine; pushes back his chair; and uses his napkin, stretching his legs and leaning back, but still frowning and thinking.) Giuseppe (clearing the table and removing the things to a tray on the sideboard). Every man to his trade, excellency. We innkeepers have plenty of cheap wine: we think nothing of spilling it. You great generals have plenty of cheap blood: you think nothing of spilling it. Is it not so, excellency? Napoleon. Blood costs nothing: wine costs money. (He rises and goes to the fireplace.)...
