King (dryly). Certainly!
Emperor (with a smile). No doubt! Pray proceed.
Kaiser (addressing Italy). Well, my dear friend, as I am afraid we are on the eve of a contest with France, I must beg of you to place three Army Corps upon your Alpine frontiers.
King (with assumed surprise). Why should I do this? It will be most inconvenient!
Kaiser. Why, to carry out the provisions of the Treaty.
Emperor (interposing). Your pardon, that stipulation was suppressed at King HUMBERT's request.
Kaiser (annoyed). Oh, was it! Then, my friend, perhaps you will be so good (as my relations with the CZAR are strained almost to breaking), as to station troops on the Russian frontier beyond Cracow.
Emperor (with improvised astonishment). Why should I do this? It will be most inconvenient.
Kaiser. Why, to carry out the provisions of the Treaty.
King (interposing). Your pardon; that stipulation was suppressed at the request of the Emperor of AUSTRIA.