RAINA (with dignity). My mother and I can understand that notion, as you call it. And if instead of threatening me with your pistol as you did, you had simply thrown yourself as a fugitive on our hospitality, you would have been as safe as in your father's house.
MAN. Quite sure?
RAINA (turning her back on him in disgust.) Oh, it is useless to try and make you understand.
MAN. Don't be angry: you see how awkward it would be for me if there was any mistake. My father is a very hospitable man: he keeps six hotels; but I couldn't trust him as far as that. What about YOUR father?
RAINA. He is away at Slivnitza fighting for his country. I answer for your safety. There is my hand in pledge of it. Will that reassure you? (She offers him her hand.)MAN (looking dubiously at his own hand). Better not touch my hand, dear young lady. I must have a wash first.
RAINA (touched). That is very nice of you. I see that you are a gentleman.
MAN (puzzled). Eh?
RAINA. You must not think I am surprised. Bulgarians of really good standing--people in OUR position--wash their hands nearly every day. But I appreciate your delicacy. You may take my hand.
(She offers it again.)
MAN (kissing it with his hands behind his back). Thanks, gracious young lady: I feel safe at last. And now would you mind breaking the news to your mother? I had better not stay here secretly longer than is necessary.
RAINA. If you will be so good as to keep perfectly still whilst I am away.
MAN. Certainly. (He sits down on the ottoman.)(Raina goes to the bed and wraps herself in the fur cloak. His eyes close. She goes to the door, but on turning for a last look at him, sees that he is dropping of to sleep.)RAINA (at the door). You are not going asleep, are you?
(He murmurs inarticulately: she runs to him and shakes him.)Do you hear? Wake up: you are falling asleep.
MAN. Eh? Falling aslee--? Oh, no, not the least in the world: I was only thinking. It's all right: I'm wide awake.
RAINA (severely). Will you please stand up while I am away. (He rises reluctantly.) All the time, mind.
MAN (standing unsteadily). Certainly--certainly: you may depend on me.
(Raina looks doubtfully at him. He smiles foolishly. She goes reluctantly, turning again at the door, and almost catching him in the act of yawning. She goes out.)MAN (drowsily). Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, slee--(Tbe words trail of into a murmur. He wakes again with a shock on the point of falling.) Where am I? That's what I want to know: where am I? Must keep awake. Nothing keeps me awake except danger--remember that--(intently)danger, danger, danger, dan-- Where's danger? Must find it. (He starts of vaguely around the room in search of it.) What am I looking for? Sleep--danger--don't know.
(He stumbles against the bed.) Ah, yes: now I know. All right now. I'm to go to bed, but not to sleep--be sure not to sleep--because of danger. Not to lie down, either, only sit down. (He sits on the bed. A blissful expression comes into his face.) Ah! (With a happy sigh he sinks back at full length; lifts his boots into the bed with a final effort; and falls fast asleep instantly.)(Catherine comes in, followed by Raina.)
RAINA (looking at the ottoman). He's gone! I left him here.
CATHERINE, Here! Then he must have climbed down from the--RAINA (seeing him). Oh! (She points.)
CATHERINE (scandalized). Well! (She strides to the left side of the bed, Raina following and standing opposite her on the right.) He's fast asleep. The brute!
RAINA (anxiously). Sh!
CATHERINE (shaking him). Sir! (Shaking him again, harder.) Sir!! (Vehemently shaking very bard.) Sir!!!
RAINA (catching her arm). Don't, mamma: the poor dear is worn out. Let him sleep.
CATHERINE (letting him go and turning amazed to Raina).
The poor dear! Raina!!! (She looks sternly at her daughter. The man sleeps profoundly.)
