War Talk and Dinner Courage — War and Peace

At the men's end of the Rostov table the talk turns hot. The German hussar colonel says the war manifesto has already appeared in Petersburg and quotes the Emperor's peace language: he cannot view with indifference the danger threatening Russia. Shinshin asks why they must fight Bonaparte at all; Suvorov knew what he was about, and they beat him hollow, and where are the Suvorovs now? The colonel thumps the table: they must fight to the last drop of blood and discuss it as little as possible.

Nicholas, eager to sound like a hussar, turns from Julie, moves his glasses as if facing danger, and declares Russians must die or conquer. Julie applauds. Sonya trembles and blushes to her shoulders. Pierre nods. The colonel shouts that the young man is a real hussar. Then Marya Dmitrievna's voice booms from the ladies' end asking why he is exciting himself as if the French were in the room. She has four sons in the army and still does not fret; one may die in bed or be spared in battle.

Natasha breaks the war script. Her little brother dares her to ask what sweets they will have; she half rises, invites Pierre to listen, and doubles down until Marya Dmitrievna threatens carrot ices and the table laughs with her, not at the answer. Pineapple ice ends the bit. Champagne is served, the band strikes up, the count and countess kiss, guests clink glasses and return to the drawing room and study with redder faces. Empty heroics at one end, real nerve at the other.