a prophet nor the son of a prophet. There's nothing mysterious about it.
This man Grant who leads us knows the value of time. He makes up his
mind fast and he acts fast. The Confederate commander doesn't do either.
So Grant is bound to win. Let z equal resolution and y equal speed and
we have z plus y which equals resolution and speed, that is victory."

"I hope it will work out that way," said Dick, "but war isn't altogether
mathematics."

"Not altogether, but that beautiful study plays a great part in every
campaign. People are apt to abuse mathematics, when they don't know what
they're talking about. The science of mathematics is the very basis of
music, divine melody, heaven's harmony."

"You needn't tell me," said Pennington, "that a plus b and z minus y
lie at the basis of 'Home, Sweet Home' and the 'Star Spangled Banner.'
I accept a lot of your tales because you come from an old state like
Vermont, but there's a limit, George."

Warner looked at him pityingly.

"Frank," he said, "I'm not arguing with you. I'm telling you. Haven't
you known me long enough to accept whatever I say as a fact, and to
accept it at once and without question? Not to do so is an insult to me
and to the truth. Now say over slowly with me: 'The basis of music is
mathematics.'"

They said slowly together:

"The basis of music is mathematics."