لخّصلي

This act shifts to the Petkoffs' library, a setting which Shaw uses to let us know that this is a very poor excuse for a library; it consists of only a single room with a single shelf of old worn-out papercovered novels; the rest of the room is more like a sitting room with another ottoman in it, just like the one in Raina's room in the first act.Left alone with Raina, Bluntschli expresses his astonishment at an army where "officers send for their wives to keep discipline". Raina then tells Captain Bluntschli how much better he looks now that he is clean, and she inquires about his experiences after he left her bedroom. She lets him know that the entire story has been told so many times that both her father and her fiance are aware of the story, but not the identities of the people involved. In fact, Raina believes that "if Sergius knew, he would challenge you and kill you in a duel."When Raina asks him what he thought of her for giving him a portrait of herself, Bluntschli tells her that he never received it because he never reached into the pocket of the coat where Raina had put it. He is not concerned until he learns that Raina inscribed upon it "To my Chocolate Cream Soldier." In the meantime, Bluntschli confesses, he pawned the coat, thinking that was the safest place for it. Raina is furious, and she accuses him of having a "shopkeeping mind."In fact, he tells her that 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." At first, Raina is indignant, but then she is highly amused that Bluntschli has seen through the disguise that she has used since she was a child: "You know, I've always gone on like that," she tells him.

This act shifts to the Petkoffs' library, a setting which Shaw uses to let us know that this is a very poor
excuse for a library; it consists of only a single room with a single shelf of old worn-out papercovered
novels; the rest of the room is more like a sitting room with another ottoman in it, just like the one in
Raina's room in the first act. The room is also fitted with an old kitchen table which serves as a writing
table. At the opening of the act, Bluntschli is busy at work preparing orders, with a businesslike
regularity, for the disposition of the Bulgarian army. Petkoff is more of a hindrance than a help, for he
constantly interrupts to see if he can be of any help. Finally, his wife tells him to stop interrupting.
Petkoff, in turn, complains that all that he needs to be comfortable is his favorite old coat, which he
can't find. Catherine rings for Nicola and tells the servant to go to the blue closet and fetch his master's
old coat. Petkoff is so certain that it is not there that he is willing to make a bet of an expensive piece
of jewelry with her. Sergius is about to enter a bet also, but Nicola suddenly returns with the coat.
Petkoff is completely astonished and perplexed when Nicola announces that it was indeed hanging in
the blue closet.
At this moment, Bluntschli finishes the last order, gives it to Sergius to take to his soldiers, and then
asks Petkoff to follow to make sure that Sergius doesn't make a mistake. Petkoff asks his wife to come
along because she is good at giving commands. Left alone with Raina, Bluntschli expresses his
astonishment at an army where "officers send for their wives to keep discipline".
Raina then tells Captain Bluntschli how much better he looks now that he is clean, and she inquires
about his experiences after he left her bedroom. She lets him know that the entire story has been told
so many times that both her father and her fiancé are aware of the story, but not the identities of the
people involved. In fact, Raina believes that "if Sergius knew, he would challenge you and kill you in a
duel." Bluntschli says that he hopes that Raina won't tell, but Raina tells him of her desire to be
perfectly open and honest with Sergius. Because of Bluntschli, Raina says, she has now told two lies
— one to the soldiers looking for him in her room and another one just now about the chocolate
pudding — and she feels terrible about lying; Bluntschli cannot take her seriously. In fact, he tells her
that 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." At first, Raina is indignant, but then she is highly amused
that Bluntschli has seen through the disguise that she has used since she was a child: "You know, I've
always gone on like that," she tells him.
When Raina asks him what he thought of her for giving him a portrait of herself, Bluntschli tells her
that he never received it because he never reached into the pocket of the coat where Raina had put
it. He is not concerned until he learns that Raina inscribed upon it "To my Chocolate Cream Soldier."
In the meantime, Bluntschli confesses, he pawned the coat, thinking that was the safest place for it.
Raina is furious, and she accuses him of having a "shopkeeping mind." At this point, they are
interrupted by Louka, who brings Bluntschli some letters and telegrams, which inform him that his
father has died and that Bluntschli has inherited several hotels which he will have to manage. He must
leave immediately. Alarmed, Raina follows him out.