I understand what you may be forced to do through my putting such conditions.
I explain very carefully so that you understand and that you understand all of the possible difficulties and the importance."
"And how will you advance on La Granja if that bridge is blown?"
"We go forward prepared to repair it after we have stormed the pass.
It is a very complicated and beautiful operation.
As complicated and as beautiful as always.
The plan has been manufactured in Madrid.
It is another of Vicente Rojo, the unsuccessful professor's, masterpieces.
I make the attack and I make it, as always, not in sufficient force.
It is a very possible operation, in spite of that.
I am much happier about it than usual.
It can be successful with that bridge eliminated.
We can take Segovia.
Look, I show you how it goes.
You see?
It is not the top of the pass where we attack.
We hold that.
It is much beyond.
Look-- Here-- Like this--"
"I would rather not know," Robert Jordan said.
"Good," said Golz.
"It is less of baggage to carry with you on the other side, yes?"
"I would always rather not know.
Then, no matter what can happen, it was not me that talked."
"It is better not to know," Golz stroked his forehead with the pencil.
"Many times I wish I did not know myself.
But you do know the one thing you must know about the bridge?"
"Yes.
I know that."
"I believe you do," Golz said.
"I will not make you any little speech.
Let us now have a drink.
So much talking makes me very thirsty, Comrade Hordan.
You have a funny name in Spanish, Comrade Hordown."
"How do you say Golz in Spanish, Comrade General?"
"Hotze," said Golz grinning, making the sound deep in his throat as though hawking with a bad cold.
"Hotze," he croaked.
"Comrade Heneral Khotze.
If I had known how they pronounced Golz in Spanish I would pick me out a better name before I come to war here.
When I think I come to command a division and I can pick out any name I want and I pick out Hotze.
Heneral Hotze.
Now it is too late to change.
How do you like _partizan_ work?"
It was the Russian term for guerilla work behind the lines.
"Very much," Robert Jordan said.
He grinned.
"It is very healthy in the open air."
"I like it very much when I was your age, too," Golz said.
"They tell me you blow bridges very well.
Very scientific.