“No, I beg pardon,” said the Colonel, “it began first on the left side. I was there myself. ”

“Well, perhaps,” said Kaloúgin. “ I spent more time on the right. I went there twice: first to look for the General, and then just to see the lodgments. That’s where it was hot! ”

“Kaloúgin must know,” said Gáltsin. “By the way, V⁠⸺ told me today that you are a trump⁠—”

“But the losses, the losses are terrible!” said the Colonel. “ In my regiment we had four hundred casualties. It is astonishing that I am still alive. ”