Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
page 16 of 117 (13%)
page 16 of 117 (13%)
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MAN (with grim goodhumor). All of them, dear lady, all of them,
believe me. It is our duty to live as long as we can, and kill as many of the enemy as we can. Now if you raise an alarm-- RAINA (cutting him short). You will shoot me. How do you know that I am afraid to die? MAN (cunningly). Ah; but suppose I don't shoot you, what will happen then? Why, a lot of your cavalry--the greatest blackguards in your army--will burst into this pretty room of yours and slaughter me here like a pig; for I'll fight like a demon: they shan't get me into the street to amuse themselves with: I know what they are. Are you prepared to receive that sort of company in your present undress? (Raina, suddenly conscious of her nightgown, instinctively shrinks and gathers it more closely about her. He watches her, and adds, pitilessly) It's rather scanty, eh? (She turns to the ottoman. He raises his pistol instantly, and cries) Stop! (She stops.) Where are you going? RAINA (with dignified patience). Only to get my cloak. MAN (darting to the ottoman and snatching the cloak). A good idea. No: I'll keep the cloak: and you will take care that nobody comes in and sees you without it. This is a better weapon than the pistol. (He throws the pistol down on the ottoman.) RAINA (revolted). It is not the weapon of a gentleman! MAN. It's good enough for a man with only you to stand between |
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