BLUNTSCHLI.
True. Allow me. (He takes out his card-case, and stops to write his address, keeping Catherine in an agony of impatience. As he hands her the card, Petkoff, hatless, rushes from the house in a fluster of hospitality, followed by Sergius.)
PETKOFF.
(as he hurries down the steps). My dear Captain Bluntschli—
CATHERINE.
Oh Heavens! (She sinks on the seat against the wall.)
PETKOFF.
(too preoccupied to notice her as he shakes Bluntschli’s hand heartily). Those stupid people of mine thought I was out here, instead of in the—haw!—library. (He cannot mention the library without betraying how proud he is of it.) I saw you through the window. I was wondering why you didn’t come in. Saranoff is with me: you remember him, don’t you?
SERGIUS.
(saluting humorously, and then offering his hand with great charm of manner). Welcome, our friend the enemy!
PETKOFF.
No longer the enemy, happily. (Rather anxiously.) I hope you’ve come as a friend, and not on business.
CATHERINE.
Oh, quite as a friend, Paul. I was just asking Captain Bluntschli to stay to lunch; but he declares he must go at once.
SERGIUS.
(sardonically). Impossible, Bluntschli. We want you here badly. We have to send on three cavalry regiments to Phillipopolis; and we don’t in the least know how to do it.
BLUNTSCHLI.
(suddenly attentive and business-like). Phillipopolis! The forage is the trouble, eh?
PETKOFF.
(eagerly). Yes, that’s it. (To Sergius.) He sees the whole thing at once.