The Four Feathers (1939)

C. Aubrey Smith: General Burroughs

Photos 

Quotes 

• General Burroughs : Crimea, by Jove. War was war in those days, and men were men. No room for weaklings. Balaclava for instance. Here, you fellows remember the positions. Now, here, these nuts were the Russians - guns, guns, guns. On the right, the British infantry - the thin red line. There was the commander-in-chief and here was I, at the head of the old 68th. The right was impossible, the left was blocked, behind us was the commander-in-chief. I realised the position in a flash. I said, "The 68th will move forward." Immediately one of my subalterns came to me, shaking. Absolutely shaking. I said, "What's wrong Carruthers?" "I'm afraid to face those guns, sir". I said, "Would you rather face me?" Hmm. He took one look at my face and off he went. Ten minutes later he was shot to pieces at the head of his men, as a soldier should be, eh?

• General Burroughs : [At dinner, also Harry Fabersham's birthday]  Do you remember Wilmington?

  General Faversham : Wilmington?

  General Burroughs : Fine old service family. Father killed at Inkerman, grandfather blown up under Nelson, and an uncle scalped by Indians. Oh, splendid record, splendid!

  [Murmur of approval from guests] 

  General Faversham : What happened?

  General Burroughs : Well, the general ordered him to gallop through the lines with a message. Paralyzed with funk... couldn't move. General sends his adjutant... killed before he'd gone fifty yards. Sends his ADC... head blown off. Then he went through with the message himself... lost his arm. Ruined his cricket!

  General Faversham : Oh yes, I remember now. He disgraced his family.

  [Speaking coldly, glaring at his son, Harry] 

  General Faversham : His father disowned him. Hung about for a year or two then blew his brains out.

  Dr. Sutton : Ah! He had the courage to blow his brains out!

  General Faversham : Courage? Ha! The last part of decency, that's all.

  [Speaking coldly, glaring at his son, Harry] 

  General Faversham : There's no place in England for a coward.