“Yes. Alpini would. These V.E. soldiers would. Some bersaglieri.”

“Bersaglieri have run too. Now they try to forget it.”

“You should not let us talk this way, Tenente . E viva l’esercito ,” Passini said sarcastically.

“I know how you talk,” I said. “But as long as you drive the cars and behave⁠—”

“⁠—and don’t talk so other officers can hear,” Manera finished.

“I believe we should get the war over,” I said. “It would not finish it if one side stopped fighting. It would only be worse if we stopped fighting.”

“It could not be worse,” Passini said respectfully. “There is nothing worse than war.”