He is in no danger if he keeps quiet. He will be interned in a concentration-camp. I’ll write to my people and ask them to see that he is well treated.... I say, I see on your table one of those Cattleyas which were rather sickly before I left. How are they doing?
The Burgomaster
I believe they’re saved. I found out under the microscope what it was that was making them wither. It’s a tiny fungus which no orchid-grower had located before and against which all the ordinary methods of vaporizing and fumigation are quite useless. I’ve contrived a new blend; I’ll give you the prescription; it has done wonderfully well so far. I’m worried about my poor hot-houses, on which I’ve spent the best part of my life and nearly half my fortune. If only this war doesn’t turn them into broken glass and scrap-iron! As you know, they contain nearly half a million valuable flowers; and their destruction would be an irretrievable disaster, for it would take a whole lifetime to build up a collection that could compare with mine.
Otto
Have no fear, there will be no battle or bombardment in this direction; and while the occupation lasts I shall be able to protect the house of my wife and my father-in-law, or at least to see that it is protected.
The Burgomaster
Here is Isabelle.
(Enter Isabelle.)
Isabelle
(Pausing for one moment on the threshold and then rushing into Otto’s arms.) You! Is that you? You here; and I did not know!