Arms and the Man · Act I (2/2) (3/3)

| Raina | With dignity. My mother and I can understand that notion, as you call it. And if instead of threatening me with your pistol as you did, you had simply thrown yourself as a fugitive on our hospitality, you would have been as safe as in your father’s house. | | Man | Quite sure? | | Raina | Turning her back on him in disgust. Oh, it is useless to try and make you understand. | | Man | Don’t be angry: you see how awkward it would be for me if there was any mistake. My father is a very hospitable man: he keeps six hotels; but I couldn’t trust him as far as that. What about your father? | | Raina | He is away at Slivnitza fighting for his country. I answer for your safety. There is my hand in pledge of it. Will that reassure you? She offers him her hand. | | Man | Looking dubiously at his own hand. Better not touch my hand, dear young lady. I must have a wash first. | | Raina | Touched. That is very nice of you. I see that you are a gentleman. | | Man | Puzzled. Eh? | | Raina | You must not think I am surprised. Bulgarians of really good standing⁠—people in our position⁠—wash their hands nearly every day. But I appreciate your delicacy. You may take my hand. She offers it again. | | Man | Kissing it with his hands behind his back. Thanks, gracious young lady: I feel safe at last. And now would you mind breaking the news to your mother? I had better not stay here secretly longer than is necessary. | | Raina | If you will be so good as to keep perfectly still whilst I am away. | | Man | Certainly. He sits down on the ottoman. | | | Raina goes to the bed and wraps herself in the fur cloak. His eyes close. She goes to the door, but on turning for a last look at him, sees that he is dropping off to sleep. | | Raina | At the door. You are not going asleep, are you? He murmurs inarticulately: she runs to him and shakes him. Do you hear? Wake up: you are falling asleep. | | Man | Eh? Falling aslee⁠—? Oh, no, not the least in the world: I was only thinking. It’s all right: I’m wide awake. | | Raina | Severely. Will you please stand up while I am away. He rises reluctantly. All the time, mind. | | Man | Standing unsteadily. Certainly⁠—certainly: you may depend on me. | | | Raina looks doubtfully at him. He smiles foolishly. She goes reluctantly, turning again at the door, and almost catching him in the act of yawning. She goes out. | | Man | Drowsily. Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, slee⁠—The words trail off into a murmur. He wakes again with a shock on the point of falling. Where am I? That’s what I want to know: where am I? Must keep awake. Nothing keeps me awake except danger⁠—remember that⁠—intently danger, danger, danger, dan⁠—Where’s danger? Must find it. He starts of vaguely around the room in search of it. What am I looking for? Sleep⁠—danger⁠—don’t know. He stumbles against the bed. Ah, yes: now I know. All right now. I’m to go to bed, but not to sleep⁠—be sure not to sleep⁠—because of danger. Not to lie down, either, only sit down. He sits on the bed. A blissful expression comes into his face. Ah! With a happy sigh he sinks back at full length; lifts his boots into the bed with a final effort; and falls fast asleep instantly. | | | Catherine* comes in, followed by Raina. | | Raina | Looking at the ottoman. He’s gone! I left him here. | | Catherine | Here! Then he must have climbed down from the⁠— | | Raina | Seeing him. Oh! She points. | | Catherine | Scandalized. Well! She strides to the left side of the bed, Raina following and standing opposite her on the right. He’s fast asleep. The brute! | | Raina | Anxiously. Sh! | | Catherine | Shaking him. Sir! Shaking him again, harder. Sir!! Vehemently shaking very bard. Sir!!! | | Raina | Catching her arm. Don’t, mamma: the poor dear is worn out. Let him sleep. | | Catherine | Letting him go and turning amazed to Raina. The poor dear! Raina!!! She looks sternly at her daughter. The man* sleeps profoundly. |