Arms and the Man: A Pleasant Play

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Brentano, 1905 - 80 pages
 

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Page 33 - Soldiering> my dear madam, is the coward's art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harm's way when you are weak. That is the whole secret of successful fighting. Get your enemy at a disadvantage; and never, on any account, fight him on equal terms.
Page 32 - When they arrive at the table, she turns to him with a bend of the head: he bows; and thus they separate, he coming to his place, and she going behind her father's chair. RAINA [stooping and kissing her father] Dear father! Welcome home! PETKOFF [patting her cheek] My little pet girl.
Page 73 - Sir ! PETKOFF. Did you spoil any pastry of Miss Raina's this morning? NICOLA. You heard Miss Raina say that I did, sir. PETKOFF. I know that, you idiot. Was it true? NICOLA. I am sure Miss Raina is incapable of saying anything that is not true, sir. PETKOFF. Are you? Then I'm not. [Turning to the others] Come: do you think I dont see it all?
Page 56 - Im quite a straightforward man myself; but it wouldnt last me a whole morning. RAINA [staring haughtily at him] Do you know, sir, that you are insulting me? BLUNTSCHLI. I cant help it. When you strike that noble attitude and speak in that thrilling voice, I admire you; but I find it impossible to believe a single word you say.
Page 61 - Thats only your ignorance; and dont you forget it. And dont be so ready to defy everybody. Act as if you expected to have your own way, not as if you expected to be ordered about.
Page 38 - ... windows on me? LOUKA. Well, you see, sir, since you say you are half a dozen different gentlemen all at once, I should have a great deal to look after. SERGIUS (charmed). Witty as well as pretty. (He tries to kiss her.) LOUKA (avoiding him). No, I don't want your kisses. Gentlefolk are all alike — you making love to me behind Miss Raina's back, and she doing the same behind yours.
Page 36 - SERGIUS. Sh — sh ! Let me be the worshipper, dear. You little know how unworthy even the best man is of a girl's pure passion ! RAINA. I trust you. I love you. You will never disappoint me, Sergius. (Louka is heard singing within the house. They quickly release each other.) Hush! I can't pretend to talk indifferently before her: my heart is too full.
Page 15 - Well, it's a funny sight. It's like slinging a handful of peas against a window pane: first one comes; then two or three close behind him; and then all the rest in a lump.
Page 78 - I doubt, sir, whether you quite realize either my daughter's position or that of Major Sergius Saranoff, whose place you propose to take. The Petkoffs and the Saranoffs are known as the richest and most important families in the country. Our position is almost historical: we can go back for twenty years.
Page 36 - And you have never been absent from my thoughts for a moment. [Very solemnly] Sergius: I think we two have found the higher love. When I think of you, I feel that I could never do a base deed or think an ignoble thought.

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