"Sometimes a foundation is too flawed to be kept. That doesn't mean the rest is irredeemable." If there was any deeper meaning to that, Anton's bland tone made it difficult to tell; but there was a slightly distant look in his eye, as if he was thinking of something in particular.

It only lasted a moment. "It would," he agreed. "Which is why I do, if I have the opportunity. But in the middle of a war, in the field, in the trench, there isn't often the opportunity. Maintaining what we had as best as we could was the best course available."